'Terrified' pensioner hit with bike chain could have died in canal - one thing saved his life

A man aged in his late 70s was hit repeatedly about the head with a bike chain then pushed into a canal in what detectives have called a 'terrifying' robbery.

Police have revealed they believe the man's helmet saved his life - and said he 'used all the strength he had' to climb injured out of the water. The man, who hasn't been identified, was out riding his bike along the Bridgewater Canal in Leigh, Wigan.

According to officers, a man on a bike wearing a 'skull' balaclava and dressed all in black stopped in front of him. The robber tried to pull the man's bike away from him, but he was attacked as he held onto it.

It is understood the robbery happened near to a stretch of the canal footpath running under Higher Green Lane and Lower Green Lane.

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"After the victim held onto his bike, he was assaulted and suffered a number of blows to the head with a bike chain before getting pushed into the canal," said a spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police in a statement. "The victim's bike was then taken from him."

The man was left with serious injuries and was taken to hospital. It's understood he's now recovering. Police said emergency services were called to reports of the 'violent robbery' on the canal's towpath just before 4.30pm on June 8. The shocking details, however, have only just been revealed by the force after CCTV investigations.

"Officers attending found an elderly man in his late 70s with serious injuries," added the spokesperson. "He was taken into hospital.

"Following extensive CCTV enquiries, detectives believe that a man dressed in all black clothing pulled in front of the victim on his own bike, stopping the