A YOUNG cyclist "could have been killed" after he was struck in the neck by a wire that had been tied across a path.

Today his parents said that they had been left horrified at the incident which left 13-year-old Adam Oates unconscious and bleeding heavily from his neck.

Adam was cycling near Accrington Cemetery in Huncoat when he was knocked from his bike by a dog lead that had been tied across the entrance to an area of parkland near his home in Rydal Close.

The impact knocked him unconscious as the nylon dog lead became embedded across his windpipe.

An ambulance was called and he was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment.

Mum Tracy Britton, 37, said: "Adam was lucky because if he had been cycling any quicker he could have died.

"It was a prank that went wrong. I don't think that whoever did it was thinking but they could have killed my son."

Adam, a pupil at Moorhead School in Accrington, has now been banned from riding his mountain bike near his house while he recovers from his injuries.

Adam was with his friend Christopher Stinson, 14, at the time and Christopher raised the alarm. He said that Adam was unconscious for around three minutes after the impact.

Adam, who is one of nine children, has now been told to rest. Doctors said that he may be scarred for life.

Mum Tracy added: "It is really scary to think what could have happened. It could have been so much worse."

Sgt Martin Knight from Accrington police is investigating the incident.

He said: "We are lucky that this young boy was not more seriously hurt.

"A dog lead had been tied with a piece of rope across the entrance to the park.

"He had not seen the rope and it caught him around the neck, knocking him off his bike. He has been very fortunate that he was not travelling any faster because his injuries could have been quite severe."

Sgt Knight said the vandals responsible for stretching the rope across the entrance to the park "knew what they were doing".

He added: "We cannot say what was in the mind of the person who has done this but it must have been obvious that it would cause injury.

"I would urge any person who saw this rope being tied up to contact the police."

If you have any information contact police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.