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Teen explains how he fought off man who tried to kidnap him

A 15-year-old said adrenaline kicked in and helped him fight off a man who tried to force him into a van.

Hunter Gress, 15, said a man driving a silver Ford van drove into the path of his bike, and ordered Hunter to get into the van.  When Hunter refused, the man tried to force him inside the van.

Hunter said that's when his adrenaline kicked in, helping him fight the man off.

"I punched him in the nose and when he took both hands and brought them up to his nose, I saw his stomach was open," Hunter said. "I punched him in the stomach and I didn't bother going back [to grab] my bike, I just ran home."

Hunter's mom, Heather Gress, said she was surprised someone tried to abduct her 15-year-old son.

"I assumed it would happen more to my nine-year-old, than my 15-year-old," Gress said.

Related:  Scott County boy fights off kidnapper with self-defense moves taught by mom's boyfriend

The man is described as being a white male in his 40's, wearing a black ball cap, sunglasses, a blue shirt, and blue jeans.

A similar suspect and vehicle description were given when a boy reported being grabbed by a man who tried to pull him into a van, at the same location, in November 2013.

Hunter said he hopes other kids will learn from his story, and better protect themselves, if they ever run into a similar situation.

"I'm hoping the word will get out and people will start talking about it and parents can start teaching their kids to pay attention to their surroundings," said Hunter.

Anyone with information on the man or the van he was driving is asked to call Sergeant Ryan Lage with the Scott County Sheriff's Department at (563) 326-8625.

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