A cyclist has been ripped from his bike after riding head-first into a barbed wire booby trap.
Neil Nunnerley says that he was left with blood dripping from his mouth and further injuries to his face and chest after hitting the trap at around 15 miles per hour.
This isn't the first incident of people setting these up, with wiring also being stretched across the footpath in Elland Park Wood in Calderdale, West Yorks.
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Neil, 47, was cycling along a trail in woodlands near to Taff's Well Quarry in south Wales when he was stopped in his tracks by the dangerous trap.
He went to A&E and reported the incident to the police but when he went back to the scene with an officer the trap had been removed.
Neil explained: "The trap was set across the track with woven branches within it that were fixed horizontally. It wasn't until I saw the branch I realised it was a trap.
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"One of the branches struck me and got lodged in my mouth whilst the wire caught my chest and the lower of my neck. I was pulled from my bike and fell backwards striking my head on the floor. Thankfully, my helmet saved me."
Neil rode home, washed his wounds and then sought medical attention.
He went on: "I was more than hesitant to go to the hospital in fear of the virus and the current situation we find ourselves in.
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"My wife called the out-of-hours surgery who forwarded her to the hospital. The hospital assured us that A&E is a safe zone and that I should attend.
"My injuries include bruising to my chest and neck and a swollen mouth with three stitches. Although my injuries are minor this could have been a lot worse.
"There are many footpaths in this area and the bikers tend not to ride in those areas, there have been reports of motorbikes riding in the woods but again they tend to ride away from the bikers and walkers.
"Due to what is happening in the world today, more and more people are out walking for exercise than ever before. Dare I say it, but these people may have not frequented this area prior to lockdown and are now shouting at the people who use this area for biking."
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Luckily, Neil's injuries are healing 'quickly' and he added: "Frustrations are high at the moment and people just need to get along, we all need to release our energy and get the exercise where and when we can."
A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: "The incident was reported to police at around 5pm on May 23. Officers attended the scene with the cyclist and no wire could be found on the trees or any others nearby.
"Understandably, some time had passed between the incident and the matter being reported due to the cyclist seeking medical attention at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
"Anyone with information is asked to please contact South Wales Police on 101, quoting occurrence number *178556."
Featured Image Credit: Media Wales