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A cyclist suffered horrific injuries when he was deliberately pushed off his bike in Weoley Castle by a masked thug riding pillion on a motorcycle.

Hours after crashing into the road during the sudden, unprovoked attack, brave Andrew Marsden, 67, was having his elbow scraped out down to the bone in Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

After three X-rays to inspect the damage to his arm, he rejected the offer to have the procedure done under general anaesthetic.

The Cannon Hill Cycling Club member was out riding with three others and travelling at about 20mph when they were overtaken by two motorbikes.

They were just going through the traffic lights from Gregory Avenue which cross Shenley Lane on to Long Nuke Road when a masked passenger on one bike pushed Mr Marsden off his cycle into the road. The yob then looked back to see what he had done as the driver sped off.

(Image: Darren Quinton / Birmingham Live)

A retired Spanish teacher who works part-time in a Longbridge shop repairing bicycles, Mr Marsden said: "I am not angry with the person who did this, just sad he thinks he has to do something like this to get his kicks.

"I'm lucky I didn't need a major operation."

Route organiser Michael Stanford, who took Mr Marsden to hospital in his van, said: "This incident is absolutely appalling and dangerous.

"Whoever did this needs to be taken off the road, but it's a sign of the times.

"Even at 15mph, Andrew could have been seriously injured or killed."

West Midlands Police has launched an appeal for witnesses.

(Image: Andrew Marsden)

Where and when the attack happened

The 30 mile 'Evening Energiser' ride had been organised by Mr Stanford, who was not out that night.

Four cyclists met up at the Scout Hut on Selly Park Road to begin the ride and they were en route to the Clent Hills when they were riding down Gregory Avenue close to the Weoley Castle pub at around 6.30pm on Tuesday, September 17.

They had just set off from the traffic lights and were doing about 20mph to make sure they got through them when Mr Marsden said he was pushed off his bicycle by the pillion passenger of an overtaking motorbike.

(Image: Google Maps)

He said it all happened so fast none of his party could get a clear description or number plate.

But, as he crashed to the ground, Mr Marsden said he noticed the passenger was wearing black, had masked the lower part of his face with a white bandanna to prevent identification and deliberately looked back to see what he had done.

Other members of the team called Mr Stanford, who drove over with his van to pick up Mr Marsden's bicycle as well as partner Lisa and her bike.

Mr Stanford took them to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where the queue for treatment in A&E was already 122 names long with a waiting time of more than seven hours after initial assessment.

Once there, Mr Stanford dialled 999 to report the incident to the police who took full details.

(Image: Darren Quinton / Birmingham Live)

Treatment for injuries

After waiting to see an orthopaedic surgeon to discuss the extend of his injuries, Mr Marsden said he declined to have his wound treated while under a general anaesthetic.

"I had three X-rays and after they cleaned out my wound down right down to the bone using something like a toothbrush I then had nine stitches," he said.

"They could only anaesthetise it so much and they gave me morphine while I had three procedures done to clean out the wound, which involved cutting about 4cm of skin away in a damaged area about the size of a small tea cup.

"The nurses also gave me a sterile pack to bite on and I thought to myself 'This is 2019, not 1819! I was almost expecting a bottle of rum to go with it.

"The injury was right on the elbow and they cleaned it out in about ten minutes.

"I've also got gravel rash on both legs and they were worried about my hip at first."

(Image: Darren Quinton / Birmingham Live)

Police statement

West Midlands Police said: "Police are investigating after a cyclist was knocked off his bike in Gregory Avenue, Selly Oak shortly before 7pm on Tuesday, September 17.

A man in his 60s was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries not believed to be life threatening or life changing.

An appointment has been arranged to speak to the cyclist as enquiries continue.

Anyone with information can contact us, quoting log number 2205 of 17/09 via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am and midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(Image: Michael Stanford)

Cannon Hill Cycling Club

The club is four years old and has some 90 members who are advised to all wear helmets, to never ride more than two abreast and to be in single file where necessary.

None of the four-strong group that night was using a GoPro style camera to record events.

Mr Marsden rides a 22-speed, carbon fibre, drop handled bar Polygon bike which he once brought back with him from a trip to Australia.

Although wearing hi-vis clothing and with appropriate lights on their cycles, the attack took place in broad daylight.

Mr Marsden, who is originally from the Yorkshire town of Marsden, said he has been cycling for 56 years and never used mirrors but might consider them in future as well as getting a camera to record his rides.

"The driver of the motorcycle manoeuvred into me so his passenger could push me off when I was doing about 20mph" he said.

"I've always had good a awareness and hearing and am very fit - if you said a 67-year-old had been involved in incident like this, I would never think what was me.

"I once work up in an ambulance in the Peak District, but I was hit by a car in an area where a policemen was operating a speed trap and was the best witness you could possibly have.

"We all have third party insurance which costs about £33 a year from the Cycle Club so that if we ever cause an accident we are covered.

"I am not angry with the person who did this, I'm just thankful he pushed me over and not my partner, Lisa.

"I just want to get back out on my bike again - all of the members have been absolutely brilliant I am so please I am a member of it."

Cycling club reactions

Many members wrote on the club's Facebook page their messages of support and included the following.

Catherine Waldron: 'It’s so appalling what happened, I wish you a speedy recovery'.

Glynn Marston: 'I hope you have a speedy recovery, this is disgusting'.

Anna Jigoulina: 'What a disturbing incident. I know there's probably not much chance they'll find the guys but I hope they do'.

David Duggins: 'Dreadful thing to happen. Wishing you all the best Andy'.