Witnesses are being sought after a woman was reportedly pushed into the canal while cycling along the towpath near Birmingham University in Edgbaston.
Keen cyclist Sophie Watson, 26, was cycling along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal towards her Jewellery Quarter Home after a cycle ride for exercise yesterday evening (Friday 12th June).
Sophie said that, as she was cycling close to Edgbaston Park Road, a group of around eight to ten teenagers on bikes cycled towards her. The group, described as white and mixed race males aged 14 to 16, stopped at the side of the towpath but as she passed them she was pushed into the water.
The group rode off towards Stirchley, laughing.
After getting out of the canal, Sophie continued her journey and came across another woman being helped from the water by two men who had stopped to assist after she too had seemingly been pushed in while cycling.
After posting on Twitter, reports of similar incidents on the stretch of canal up to Bournville emerged.
Thankfully, Sophie was not seriously hurt, suffering some bruising, but the incident is reminiscent of a number of ‘pranks’ on cyclists last year, where cyclists were pushed from their bikes by passing car passengers, resulting in some serious injuries.Â
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “We were called to reports of a woman cyclist being pushed into a canal between University and Five Ways, Birmingham just after 6.40pm yesterday (Friday) evening.
“It is understood a second woman cyclist was also pushed into the water in the same area on Friday evening and we are further aware of reports on social media of similar incidents.
“Our investigations are continuing and officers are carrying out regular patrols of the area.”
The spokesperson added that officers from neighbourhood teams will be linking in with partnership agencies – including Canal Watch – to offer support and reassurance to those using the city’s canal networks.
Not even one description of these thugs?