German man charged with attempted murder in Otago

The 20-year-old girlfriend of a German man charged with her attempted murder has been left "shaken up and distraught" after her ordeal.

The man allegedly attempted to drive a car into a Central Otago lake with his European girlfriend in the passenger seat.

A Cromwell police spokesperson said  Victim Support are dealing with the woman, who has been seriously traumatised from the incident.

The 20-year-old man was charged after the January 22 incident at Lake Dunstan, near Cromwell.

Police said his car got stuck in a crash barrier, preventing him from going into the lake at Italian Creek.

A member of the public reportedly stopped at the scene to help the man and police would like to speak with that person, who was driving a black car.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Cromwell police on 03 445 1999.

Newshub.