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Police appeal after Manchester cyclist knocked unconscious by object thrown from car

Stitches needed after victim hit by object thought to be a brick or a bottle

Greater Manchester Police have launched an appeal after a cyclist was left unconscious and with facial wounds after being struck by an object, believed to be a brick or bottle, thrown at him from a passing car.

The 41-year-old victim, who has not been named, needed internal and external stitches to his lip following the incident which took place on a dirt track between Bolton Road, Bickershaw and Landgate Lane, Bryn at around 11.30am on the morning of Monday 27 October.

The chain of events that resulted in the object being thrown began when a silver Ford Focus, possibly with an 02 or 03 plate, passed close to the cyclist, narrowly missing him.

According to police, the driver performed a handbrake turn and the cyclist gestured at him as a result of the way he was driving.

Shortly afterwards, the cyclist, becoming aware of the car approaching him from behind, pulled over at the side of the road and was knocked unconscious by an object thrown from the vehicle.

After he regained consciousness he found his face covered in blood and went to a nearby farm to get help.

Greater Manchester police say that there were two people inside the vehicle, “both white and aged between 17 and 20. One had short dark hair and the other short light coloured hair.”

Detective Constable Suzanne Rigby commented: “Someone in the car has quite possibly launched a brick or similar weapon at the victim from close range causing some very nasty facial injuries.

“Their actions, along with their driving, was reckless, dangerous and completely unprovoked.

“If anyone knows who is responsible, saw the car driving in the area that day or has any other information that may help, please contact us.”

Anyone who has information regarding the incident is requested to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 856 7295, 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.

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10 comments

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Strathlubnaig | 11 years ago
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Manchester does not sound like a good place to cycle.

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Strathlubnaig | 11 years ago
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Manchester does not sound like a good place to cycle.

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AnalogueAndy | 11 years ago
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Healing vibes being sent to the rider, I hope that you recover as fully as possible and are not put off riding. And I hope the morons in the car are caught and you get some closure but I sadly doubt it will happen.

Thankfully it's normally just abuse that gets thrown at me but I have had objects too. A McDonalds carton full of what felt like coke, I did report it to the police but sadly I didn't get the reg no and they weren't identified.

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shockleader | 11 years ago
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I am becoming increasingly convinced of the efficacy of post-natal abortion in certain cases!

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ribbledibble | 11 years ago
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It's actually getting worse. I sat fixing a puncture when a Corsa full of morons passed by and a full can of Stella Artois was hurled at me. Thankfully I still had my helmet on....an Sworks which had to be replaced.

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matthewn5 | 11 years ago
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They should lose their licences - for ever!
See how they like being back on a bike.

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Ghedebrav | 11 years ago
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Horrific. Sadly, for such morons cyclists are just moving targets.

I'm sure most people on here will have been shouted at or been pushed to the side of the road by dickheads (almost invariably two or more young-ish males). This is just a nasty step further. I hope the little bastards get their comeuppance.

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davidtcycle | 11 years ago
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So much violence and aggression aimed at cyclists - where does it all come from?

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spen replied to davidtcycle | 11 years ago
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davidtcycle wrote:

So much violence and aggression aimed at cyclists - where does it all come from?

More regrettably it's just anger aimed at anyone not themselves, maybe they are just clockwork oranges  2

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OldRidgeback | 11 years ago
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Appalling - hope the idiots responsible are caught and that the victim recovers

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