A student has told how she was pushed off her bike and into a canal by a group of teenagers.
Sophie Watson, 26, said she was travelling towards Birmingham city centre near Edgbaston Park Road at about 6.30pm on Friday when a group of around eight to ten boys approached her on bikes.
"The first one said 'you're getting pushed in' and then maybe the sixth just pushed me in," the University of Birmingham student told Sky News.
"Me, my bike and all my belongings were in the canal and they continued cycling and laughing.
"After I'd pulled myself and bike out, I continued on along the canal when I saw another drenched woman ahead... two men had helped her out."
In a tweet that attracted hundreds of concerned comments, Ms Watson wrote: “This evening I was pushed in the canal whilst cycling.
“I've cycled along that canal most days for the past couple of years and always wondered when I'd end up falling in. I did not expect to ever be pushed in.”
She suffered bruising to her legs and ankle.
The group of youths were described as white and mixed race males aged 14 to 16, police said.
They cycled off between the University and Five Ways stations.
Officers believe a second female cyclist was pushed into the same stretch of canal on Friday evening.
West Midlands Police said: “Our investigations are continuing and officers are carrying out regular patrols of the area.
“We would ask anyone who may have seen anything or have any information about who may be responsible to get in touch.”
Anyone with information can contact 101 quoting 20BW/136078G/20 or via the live chat on www.west.midlands.police.
