Oxford cyclist hit by tangerine (From The Oxford Times)

Cyclist hit by tangerine next to A40 Oxford ring road

5:27pm Tuesday 25th November 2008 in News

Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was hit in the face by a tangerine thrown from a passing car in Oxford.

At 4.40pm yesterday, the man was cycling along the cycle track next to the Northern Bypass towards Marston, just past the Cherwell Bridge when he was hit by a tangerine.

He was taken to hospital where he has been kept in for treatment to serious bruising to his left eye, swelling and bleeding from the iris.

PC Chris Reilly, of Cowley police station, said: “This may not seem too serious an incident, but the piece of fruit was travelling at high speed and it has left the cyclist in a lot of pain.

"It hurt him so much he first thought he had been hit by a brick.

“This may have been unintentional, but I am concerned it was not: the rider was wearing a reflective jacket and lights and would have been easy to see.

“If anyone saw this incident take place then please contact me. I would also like to appeal to the driver themselves, having now considered the consequences of their actions, to come forward.

PC Reilly can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don’t want to talk to police and don’t want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.