Thugs kick towpath cyclist, 71, into Wolverhampton canal

Three mindless thugs kicked a 71-year-old man into a Black Country canal as he cycled along a towpath.

Retired lorry driver Christopher Fitzgerald suffered two suspected cracked ribs and was left freezing in the water for 20 minutes as the trio taunted and threw stones at him from behind bushes.

The photography enthusiast said the thugs had ruined the one thing he loves doing and he was now scared to venture out along the Wyrley and Essington Canal.

The gang even kicked Mr Fitzgerald back into the water after twice offering to help him out during the ordeal near Dunstall Park racecourse in Wolverhampton.

The father-of-seven, from Parkfields, said: "I love the canals. I like to cycle along and chat to people as I go and take pictures of nature.

"This has made me really wary about going out again. It was the most frightening thing that has happened to me in my life. I told them what they were doing wasn't funny. They said they thought it was hilarious."

Mr Fitzgerald, who has 16 grandchildren, was attacked as he cycled along the path some time between 1pm and 1.30pm on Thursday.

His £600 electric bike, £400 camera that he uses to take pictures of nature, a £300 phone and a £200 key fob for his car were among items ruined when he crashed into the water.

After kicking him back into the canal, Mr Fitzgerald remained in the water as he was so scared to get out.

It was at that point that the trio hid behind bushes and threw stones at him. "I'm a strong swimmer but I thought I was going to drown. All I was thinking about was trying to keep myself alive."

Mr Fitzgerald, who lives with his wife, 69-year-old Edna, also lost a hearing aid during the attack. He said the three youths involved were in their mid to late teens.

Witnesses or anyone with information should contact police on 101.