Police have launched a probe after a boy rode through barbed wire strung across a path.
The 14-year-old cyclist reportedly ducked when he saw the ‘trap’, avoiding injury to his neck area – but it caught his full-face helmet and caused him to crash.
The concerning incident took place on Salisbury Plain – near Coulston Hollow, Erlestoke – on Wednesday (12 July).
The boy’s mother said it was a “really horrible experience”, claiming “someone had strung a length of barbed wire across two trees”.
She added: “It caught him on his full face helmet and thankfully he ducked or it would have been across his throat, he wasn’t going slowly either. Please be careful if you are horse riding or mountain biking etc.”
Wiltshire Police has since launched an investigation into the incident. It’s not the first time ‘traps’ of this nature have been reported across Salisbury Plain.
In a statement, a force spokesperson said: “[Police] were made aware of a social media post regarding a young male riding into barbed wire that had been strung between two trees. Contact has been made with the male and thankfully he did not sustain any serious injuries.
“The incident took place near Coulston Hollow. This location has now been checked by officers and no other similar entanglements were located. There are many tracks in this area so we are asking that riders and walkers alike to please be vigilant. If you are out walking or riding please stick to the byways and marked public rights of way.
“The Ministry of Defence are aware of this incident and we would like to remind the public that this area is Ministry of Defence Land and is actively used. Whilst the military make an effort to clear up following their training exercises some ordnance can be missed and these areas are inherently dangerous. Any bike ramps located in these areas will be removed by the MOD.
“If you have any information regarding the incident please contact Wiltshire Police on 101 quoting reference 54230073262.”
