Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Police appeal for witnesses after cyclist pushed into canal in Cheshire

Officers want to trace woman who helped assault victim get out of the water

Cheshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was knocked unconscious and fell into a canal, and want to trace a woman who helped him out of the water.

The incident happened between 5pm and 5.30pm on Tuesday 25 July as the 40-year-old male cyclist was riding from Chester towards Ellesmere Port.

As he rode along the canal at the rear of the Dale Army Camp towards Backford Dip, he was struck in the face by an unknown assailant wielding what was described as a yellow object.

The assault caused him to fall off his bike into the water and luckily a woman who was passing by helped him out of the canal.

Detective Constable Gary Morris from Chester CID, said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a man who was simply out cycling. Had it not been for the woman passing by we could have been dealing with a completely different incident. 

“I want to thank her for helping him out of the water but also ask her to come forward and speak to officers about what happened. 

“Although we are following a number of lines of enquiry we need the public’s help in coming forward with any information they might have to trace the person responsible.

“Did you see anyone acting suspiciously in the area? Do you know who might be responsible? If you have any information, please get in touch with us,” he added.

Anyone who has information is requested to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 633 of 26 July, or the charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

Add new comment

8 comments

Avatar
WillRod | 7 years ago
0 likes

Falling into the water whilst unconscious could easily have resulted in a murder enquiry.

 

I hope they catch whoever did this, even though it's unlikely.

 

Avatar
Yorkshire wallet | 7 years ago
4 likes

I hope the canal made a full recovery. Environmental officers have probably made a full report on the effects of cyclists in waterways.

Avatar
Metaphor | 7 years ago
0 likes

I imagine this is being treated as a hate crime?

Avatar
brooksby replied to Metaphor | 7 years ago
1 like

Ramuz wrote:

I imagine this is being treated as a hate crime?

Only if the cyclist was of a minority ethnicity/sexuality/religion. Otherwise, no. Hate crime - as has been discussed on here many times-doesn't apply to transport methods (even though the language and intent is the same).

Avatar
Gizzard | 7 years ago
2 likes

You two have not been up to Birkenhead, have you? yes

In all honesty, I can't say I'm surprised. That path needs guard rails on the narrow sections under the bridges.

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 7 years ago
1 like

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Are the police really asking for suspiciously acting people in or around Blacon?

Avatar
keirik replied to don simon fbpe | 7 years ago
0 likes

don simon wrote:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Are the police really asking for suspiciously acting people in or around Blacon?

they'll need a lot of manpower to weed them out  1

 

Avatar
rJD replied to don simon fbpe | 7 years ago
0 likes

don simon wrote:

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Are the police really asking for suspiciously acting people in or around Blacon?

I went to FE college there. On our induction, the head told us that if we went out at lunchtime, perhaps for food, perhaps for a few drinks, to turn right at the gates, not left, as he'd quite like to see us again!

Latest Comments