Man found in canal fights for life

A man was last night in a critical condition in hospital after being found floating unconscious in a stretch of the canal in Leeds.

The 51-year-old man, from Horsforth, Leeds, was discovered by passers-by in a stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Kirkstall, Leeds, on Saturday at 7pm.

Inquiries suggest the man had been cycling along the towpath prior to being found, although his bicycle, a brown 20-inch frame Apollo Vortice, has not been recovered.

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Police divers have searched the area of the canal where the man was found but the bike has not been found.

Det Chief Insp Simon Bottomley, of the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “There could be a number explanations as to how this man came to be in the canal and we are keeping an open mind at this time.

“It may have been an accident or he may have been the victim of an assault.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who has seen this man cycling along the towpath in this area around 7pm or who has any information about the whereabouts of his brown Apollo Vortice mountain bike.”

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The discovery comes after police last month revealed they are investigating the death of Jan Barry Swindlehurst, aged 61, from Armley, Leeds, who plunged with his mobility scooter into the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

He was found in a stretch of the canal off Wyther Lane, Kirkstall, on Saturday, July 16.

Witnesses saw a man wading in the water near the scene, who got out and walked off.

The man injured in Saturday’s incident, who has not been named, is white, 6ft 2in, of stocky build with brown short hair and wearing a bright orange/red T-shirt and black shorts.

He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary where his condition was yesterday described as “critical”.

Contact police on 01924 334692 with information.