Cyclist pushed off his bike by passing BMW passenger

Carl Donaldson estimates he was travelling at approximately 25mph when he was pushed off his bike, landing in a ditch by the side of the road

A cyclist was pushed off his bike by a passenger in a passing BMW and left injured.

Carl Donaldson, 43, was riding on the A1068, just north of Ashington, Northumberland, on the evening of 14 May when a car drew up beside him.

The passenger leant out of the window and pushed Mr Donaldson, who said he was travelling at about 25mph and fractured his shoulder blade in the fall.

Northumbria Police confirmed it was investigating and appealed for witnesses.

Carl Donaldson says at least three cars passed him as he was lying on the side of the road

"I was just leaving Ashington when I noticed a red BMW driving right next to my handlebars," Mr Donaldson said.

"There was a guy with a maroon-coloured hood pulled right up over his face in the passenger seat and he was hanging waist height out of the window, and just pushed me as I was going about 25mph."

The incident took place on the A1068, just beyond the 30mph signs north of Ashington, Northumberland

Mr Donaldson attempted to take a photograph of the car, but was struggling to move his arm.

He was driven to hospital by his wife for treatment.

Mr Donaldson, an IT consultant, is a keen cyclist and estimated the time trial (TT) bike he was riding was worth approximately £7,000 and may not be safe to use again.

Mr Donaldson is a keen cyclist who often takes part in time trial events

"I don't think I would have felt so angry if it had been an accident," he said. "But it was totally unprovoked, it was a wide road, there was no traffic, I wasn't slowing them down in any way, and I've got two kids, they could have left me dead or disabled."

"I'd just like someone to sit down with whoever did this and say what you did was really, really stupid and could have had terrible consequences," he added.

Northumbria Police confirmed it was investigating a report of a cyclist being injured and sustaining a fracture, as well as cuts and bruises.

In a statement, the force said: "It was reported that the man had been travelling north towards Linton when a red BMW drove beside him.

"For reasons yet to be established, it is understood that a male passenger from the vehicle has leant out through the window and pushed the man off his bike.

“The driver and occupants of the BMW left the scene."

It asked the driver, passengers, or anyone with information or footage to contact police.