Exeter jogger in hospital after running into rope tied across a footbridge

A woman out running with her partner has been seriously injured after running into a rope that had been deliberately tied across the pathway on a footbridge, near to Double Locks in Exeter.
The woman, aged 33, is understood to have suffered a serious neck injury and is in hospital. Her condition is being described as stable but serious.

The incident took place around 8.30pm on Thursday evening on a pedestrian footbridge that leads to Salmonpool Lane from the Duck’s Marsh playing field at the back of the University of Plymouth (Exeter Campus) in Exeter.

With poor light at that time of the evening the woman didn’t see the rope.  It was at such a height and tension that it caused her to fall backwards, causing a head and neck injury.

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.

“We must to 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."

If anyone has any information call police on 101 and quote reference DE/13/8836, alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Photo: © Copyright Bill Boaden and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.