A cyclist was ‘nearly decapitated’ after being caught by a booby trap tripwire on a popular route in Stretford.

Dad-of-two Adam Hoult fell from his bike and blacked out after colliding with the wire at a speed of around 20mph on Sunday.

He was left with a crushed oesophagus and severe burns around his neck which could scar him for life.

The 40-year-old had been cycling along a popular footpath with friends at the rear of Cheshire Close in Stretford Meadows just after 4.45pm.

As he gained speed going down a hill, he was ‘clothes-lined’ by the wire.

Adam told the M.E.N: “As I hit it, one end came loose from one of the trees and clotheslined me, and wrapped around my neck twice.

“I blacked out but came round seconds later, I was struggling to breath and trying to get it off me.”

He took the wire, which he estimates was around 20ft long, to police who are now investigating.

“I went to hospital and they said I was lucky as it nearly crushed my oesophagus.

“I think if I was a skinny lad it would’ve taken my head off.”

Adam says he is struggling with the pain, which has also caused muscle damage in his neck.

He added: “It’s really painful, I can’t sleep and I have a sore throat and can barely swallow.

“It will definitely leave a big scar.

“I cycle round there a lot, and usually have my two-year-old with me.

“It’s a really popular route with cyclists and horse riders, and is right next to school.”

GMP confirm they are investigating the incident saying it was a ‘premeditated act’ and Adam is lucky not to have been more seriously injured.

Detective Inspector Carl Gilbert, of GMP’s Trafford borough, said: “This was a premeditated act on a man who was simply going out on his bike.

“It has left the victim with some nasty cuts to his neck and he’s lucky that the injuries were not more serious.

“It happened on a popular walking route at a busy time of the day and we would like to appeal to anyone who may have been in the area at the time and seen anything that can help us with our investigation to come forward.”