Christchurch Police are investigating the attempted abduction of a young girl in Linwood yesterday.

The 11-year-old girl had just stepped off the bus on her way to school yesterday when a man tried to lure her into his car with promises of a skateboard.

Te Pa o Rakaihautu school Principal Tauira Takurua said that's when the girl started running.

"When he started to chase her she started screaming, which got the attention of a passer-by. He intervened and told her to carry on running, so she kept on running."

Takurua is praising the man's actions.

"The guy who passed by had managed to take some photos of the guy. It would be great to catch up with him sometime and say thank you very much."

Takurua said the girl kept on running until she got to school.