A 13-year-old boy was punched by an armed robber who also attacked his mother and stole her bag yesterday.

Police said the pair were exploring Blue Hole Hill Park in Hamilton Parish and left a paved path to take a dirt trail, which led to a cave entrance.

The teenager and his 32-year-old mother, of Paget, came across a man in the trees, who pushed the woman to the ground and brandished a knife.

A struggle broke out and the boy tried to help but he was punched by the stranger.

The woman managed to fight off the attacker and run to the road where she flagged down a passing motorist, who called 911 at about 5.30pm.

Her son also ran to get help and neither of the pair were seriously hurt but the man ran off with the mother’s beach bag, which contained personal belongings.

A police spokesman said: “The scene has been processed and a search of the Blue Hole Hill Park area by police officers, with the assistance of a K9 unit, concluded Sunday evening without locating the perpetrator, but efforts to trace his whereabouts continue.”

The attacker was described as about 40 years old, 6ft 2in, with a caramel complexion.

He wore an olive green camouflage shirt, which had the sleeves cut off at the shoulder, and similar coloured cargo pants.

It was initially reported that another child — a girl — was with the mother and son but police confirmed later that only the two were involved.

Witnesses, residents of the area or anyone with information that could help were asked to call the Criminal Investigation Department on 247-1744 or Crime Stoppers on 800-8477.

• UPDATE: This story was updated to include extra information provided by the Bermuda Police Service