BMX boy in wire agony

Police believe the trap was set deliberately to injure cyclists

A teenage BMX-rider is recovering in hospital after riding into a piece of wire deliberately stretched across a cycle route.

The 13-year-old suffered severe bruising to his neck after his neck hit the wire at up to 20 mph, pulling him off the bike.

He was cycling down a hill in the New Forest at Buckland Rings, Lymington, Hampshire, when he crashed into the ten-foot length of fence wire tied between a tree and a post.

Police believe it was strung at cyclist's neck height - three feet above the ground - in an attempt to seriously hurt someone.

PC Gary Kimble said: "This incident is being treated very seriously.

"Someone could have been killed as a result of this foolhardy act.

"The intention clearly was to maim a rider."