Jogger seriously hurt by rope stretched across footpath

The 33-year-old woman suffered a serious neck injury in the incident in Exeter, Devon.

The victim, who has not been named, was out exercising with her partner in the evening when she ran into the rope that had been deliberately tied across a footbridge, near the University of Plymouth’s Exeter campus.

Devon and Cornwall Police said that, as it was getting dark, the woman did not see the rope.

It was at such a height and tension that it made her fall backwards, causing a head and neck injury.

Police yesterday said that the woman had been receiving treatment in hospital.

Officers said her condition had been described as stable but serious.

Detective Inspector Grant Leitch said: “This would appear that someone has maliciously put this rope across the walkway at such a height to stop someone who is innocently walking, running or cycling past.

“This is a serious and troubling incident and I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of this incident on Thursday evening.

“If anyone saw anything – a person or a group of people, possibly acting suspicious – we would like to hear from them.

“Even if it’s a small detail, it could be valuable information that can assist the investigation.

“This includes any instances where members of the public have seen the same appalling behaviour at another time.”

Mr Leitch added: “We must bring whoever did this to justice. This may have been a profoundly mindless act that’s had a very serious consequence.

“Whoever did this may have done it as a prank and are now possibly regretting their actions.

“I would say to them, if you have any sense of remorse, I would encourage you to come forward.

“To deliberately assault a member of the public is a serious offence and I would appeal to the public to speak to us if they have any information that can assist this investigation.”