Hunt under way after botched NSW kidnap

A search is under way for a man who punched a woman in the face and threw her into a car during a terrifying kidnapping attempt in Sydney's inner west.

The 27-year-old was walking along a Burwood footpath on Sunday morning when the man struck up a conversation with her near the train station.

When she tried to walk around him, he grabbed her, dragged her to his car, punched her in the face and shoved her in the rear of the vehicle.

A passer-by stopped to help rescue the woman as the man drove off.

NSW Police on Thursday called for help from the public in finding the man, who was driving a blue 2007 Holden Captiva SUV with Queensland registration 362RUL.

They warned members of the public not to approach the vehicle but to alert authorities.

The man was described as being in his mid-20s, Caucasian with a muscular build and was wearing a dark blue coat.