Cyclists injured in head-high rope trap in Bryn
Two cyclists were knocked off their bikes by a rope strung head-height across a path, Greater Manchester Police has said.
The first cyclist caught by the trap was a 51-year-old man cycling to work at 05:31 BST on Bryn Road, Bryn.
He suffered a dislocated shoulder and injured his nose. An hour later a second man, aged 41, was also hurt.
Details have just been released about the incident which took place on 5 September, a GMP spokesman said.
The 41-year-old man suffered an injury to his nose and bruising to his face.
Det Con Andrew Hill, of Wigan CID, said: "This is one of the stupidest and most reckless acts I have ever seen.
"It's only by sheer good luck that these innocent cyclist weren't seriously injured or even killed.
"Whoever did this deliberately placed the rope at head height for optimum effect, and it could so easily have proved devastatingly successful."
He added: "The victims were using a temporary footpath so it's conceivable that the culprit had been annoyed at cyclists riding on the path. However, no amount of frustration can ever justify this crime."