Youth pushed off bridge by robbery gang

POLICE say a teenager is lucky to be alive after being robbed by a gang and pushed off a bridge to plunge eight metres into the River Ouse.

The 18-year-old was attacked at 1.05am on Saturday as he cycled along Clifton Bridge, in York, by four men who stopped him in the road.

They forcibly searched his pockets, removing his wallet, mobile phone and passport, then pushed him against the bridge railings causing him to fall into the river below.

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PC Pauline Law, of the York Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a dreadful incident which could easily have ended in tragedy.

“It is simply down to good fortune that the victim was able to swim to the shore.

“If he had hit his head or got into difficulties in the water, then the offenders would have a death on their consciences as well as the robbery itself.

“We are following a number of lines of inquiry including a public appeal for witnesses to contact 0845 6060247.”

The shocked victim was unable to provide descriptions of the gang and officers are currently scanning CCTV footage.