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Manchester cyclist pushed in canal sparks serial killer fears

Police however are not linking incident to unexplained deaths on city's waterways...

A cyclist has told of how he was pushed into a canal in Manchester, prompting renewed speculation that there may be a serial killer at large on the waterways of the north-west city.

The Sunday Times reports that when the unnamed rider tried to climb out of the water after being pushed in, his assailant kicked his hands, sending him back into the Bridgewater Canal, near Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground.

The attacker, described as a white male aged between 20 and 40, dressed in a black jacket with hair in a “normal” style and of average height, ran away without stealing anything, the newspaper reports.

It adds that while stories of a serial killer stalking Manchester’s canals have long been thought of as an urban myth, due to his experience the 34-year-old male victim is convinced that they are based on fact.

He said: “He was a complete psychopath. Even when I went in, he tried to stop me getting back out. He didn’t try to steal anything.

“It was 10pm. I was working the late shift and coming home late. I saw a man out of the corner of my eye and he swung his arm and it caught me on my neck.

“I went into the canal along with my bicycle and my backpack on my back, which immediately started filling with water, weighing me down.

“I was underwater with my legs twisted in the bike. I managed to get above water and tried to get a grip on the side of the canal, where it was slippery and mossy. That’s when he kicked my hands away, which made me slip back under the water again.

“When I came back up, he was gone. I saw him running away. I managed to get out of the canal. It was pitch black: there are no lights or barriers along that stretch; nothing.

“My mobile phone wasn’t working because I went into the canal. I walked to PureGym in Stretford and called 999.”

He added: “I asked the police about the ‘Manchester Pusher’ legend and they were well aware of the stories. I definitely feel like I’m lucky to be alive. I could easily have drowned because of what he did.”

However, The Sunday Times says that the police have not linked the incident to other deaths – 76 dead bodies have been found on Manchester’s waterways since 2007, with 17 cases remaining officially ‘unexplained’ – and that it is being investigated as assault rather than attempted murder.

Chief Inspector Andy Sutcliffe of Greater Manchester Police said: “The attacker, who we are working to trace, ran away from the scene and the man was fortunately able to get out of the water and raise the alarm.

“I understand, given the circumstances of this report, that people will be alarmed, but I need to stress there is no evidence to suggest that this is linked to any other incidents and we’ve had no further reports.

“While we are carrying out our inquiries and finding out exactly how and why this happened, our main priority is the wellbeing of the victim, and we need to make sure that his best interests are at the forefront of our investigation,” he added.

We've reported of a number of cases on road.cc regarding cyclists being pushed into canals, with several such incidents recorded in east and west London, althpough typically they are the work of gangs rather than lone individuals, and theft appears to be the motive.

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.

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15 comments

Avatar
fenix | 5 years ago
0 likes

Alpkit and Lomo do dry sack rucksacks - if it's not too full you might get some flotation out of it. 

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felixcat replied to fenix | 5 years ago
1 like

fenix wrote:

Alpkit and Lomo do dry sack rucksacks - if it's not too full you might get some flotation out of it. 

But surely you would float face down underneath the rucksack.

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andyp | 5 years ago
3 likes

Bikes can of course be fitted with lights.

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Hirsute replied to andyp | 5 years ago
0 likes

andyp wrote:

Bikes can of course be fitted with lights.

As long as they are very bright to spot the potholes.

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hawkinspeter | 5 years ago
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Drinfinity | 5 years ago
0 likes

One of these combined with that airbag/helmet device?

https://safequip.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SAF30039-auto-a.jpg

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don simon fbpe replied to Drinfinity | 5 years ago
0 likes

Drinfinity wrote:

One of these combined with that airbag/helmet device?

https://safequip.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/SAF30039-auto-a.jpg

Looking pissed off is optional too, I  guess.

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don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
2 likes

I wonder if there's a market for hi-viz bouyancy aids (with optional built in helmets, just to be sure, like).

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felixcat replied to don simon fbpe | 5 years ago
1 like

don simon wrote:

I wonder if there's a market for hi-viz bouyancy aids (with optional built in helmets, just to be sure, like).

I was thinking this too. I notice that often the people on TV programmes about narrow boats wear automatic inflation lifejackets. Most canals are about three feet deep, so standing up is a good way of avoiding drowning.

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Hirsute replied to felixcat | 5 years ago
0 likes

felixcat wrote:

I was thinking this too. I notice that often the people on TV programmes about narrow boats wear automatic inflation lifejackets. Most canals are about three feet deep, so standing up is a good way of avoiding drowning.

On tv they wouldn't have a choice about H&S, especially as locks can be deep and cold. 

On your own hire, you do have to evaluate the likelihood of hitting your head, being unconscious and not having anyone drag you out of the water in time.

 

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felixcat replied to Hirsute | 5 years ago
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hirsute wrote:

On tv they wouldn't have a choice about H&S, especially as locks can be deep and cold. 

On your own hire, you do have to evaluate the likelihood of hitting your head, being unconscious and not having anyone drag you out of the water in time.

 

These things have a way of creeping. I remember when if you saw a cyclist in a helmet you could be sure they were a yank.

Is there any pressure or advice given to hirers.

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Hirsute replied to felixcat | 5 years ago
0 likes

felixcat wrote:

Is there any pressure or advice given to hirers.

You watch a safety video and read the safety manual.

People do get injured at locks by getting hit with windlasses (when raising the paddles) and also break limbs by trying to fend off from the banks ! If you haven't done it before you likely wouldn't realise you should swim away from the boat if you fall in to avoid being mangled by the propellor.

Kids have to wear jackets because kids do daft things.

tbh I wouldn't bother on a canal because there are enough people around but you do have to take care at locks as if you did fall in and hit your head, getting you out quickly would be awkward.

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Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
2 likes

Everyone hates cyclists so that should narrow it down a bit.

TBH, I'd rather take my chances on the roads than down by the canal at 10pm. I'm not saying your asking for it but you're lessening your chances of an incident free ride.

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Jem PT replied to Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
0 likes

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

TBH, I'd rather take my chances on the roads than down by the canal at 10pm. I'm not saying your asking for it but you're lessening your chances of an incident free ride.

Me too.

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Hirsute replied to Yorkshire wallet | 5 years ago
2 likes

Yorkshire wallet wrote:

Everyone hates cyclists so that should narrow it down a bit.

TBH, I'd rather take my chances on the roads than down by the canal at 10pm. I'm not saying your asking for it but you're lessening your chances of an incident free ride.

I'd avoid it on the basis of "It was pitch black: there are no lights or barriers along that stretch; nothing." might hit anything and end up in the water.

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