A jogger is fighting for her life after running into a tripwire yobs tied across a footpath in a sick prank.
The 33-year-old was crossing a bridge at dusk when she hit the taut, chest-height rope and was sent flying backwards to the ground.
She bashed her head and neck on concrete and was rushed to hospital where she remains in a serious but stable condition.
The incident took place at 8:30pm on Thursday evening when the jogger and her partner ran across the River Exe in Exeter, Devon.
Devon and Cornwall Police believe the rope was a booby trap targeting cyclists or runners.
The injured women had no chance of seeing it because the light was so poor.
Her partner called for an ambulance before alerting police.
Detective Inspector Grant Leitch said: “It would appear that someone has maliciously put this rope across the walkway at such a height to stop someone who is innocently, walking, running or cycling past.
“This is a serious and troubling incident and I would like to appeal to anyone who was in the vicinity of this incident on Thursday evening.
“If anyone saw anything – a person or a group of people, possibly acting suspicious – we would like to hear from them. Even if it’s a small detail, it could be valuable information that can assist the investigation.
“We must to bring whoever did this to justice. This may have been a profoundly mindless act that’s had a very serious consequence.
“Whoever did this may have done it as a prank and are now possibly regretting their actions.
“I would say to them, if you have any sense of remorse I would encourage you to come forward.”