Has anyone had a crash/spill that was just that bit unusual and totally bizarre?


I was cycling back from Manchester centre down the canal towpath which in that part of Manchester is muddy, very narrow verging on singletrack, very slippery and pretty treacherous in places.

Anyway I spotted a fisherman ahead and slowed down to pass him. I lost my balance and fell sideways and would probably have ended up in the canal if the poor fisherman hadnt grabbed my bike at the right moment.

Unfortunately he had laid one of his fishing rods and when I landed I fell on top of one of his fish hooks which impaled itself into my leg and wouldnt come out despite us both gently trying to manoeuvre it out.

I told him I would have to take the hook with me to the hospital to get it cut out and could I take his address so I could either return it or compensate him in some way but he said no just take it, thats ok.

Think the poor guy was too much in shock at what had happened.

I had to cycle home with the hook still in my leg and get a neighbour to drive me to hospital where they removed it with no fuss and after warning me of the dire consequences of the hook having been in the canal with a multitude of nasties, prescribed me antibiotics and sent
me on my way.

Luckily there was no serious damage done and the wound healed up in ten days or so.


Hope the poor fisherman didnt have nightmares.