A CYCLIST is lucky to be alive after a sick attacker shot him in the face with a ball bearing fired from a catapult.

The 21-year-old man was cycling along a road in daylight when a man got out of a pick-up truck to take a shot at him.

The traumatised victim suffered a cut and bruises to his face and had to be taken to hospital after being helped at the scene by a couple walking a dog.

Police are seeking witnesses to the unprovoked attack.

They said the Bournemouth man was cycling on a black BMX-style bike at around 2.30pm on Wednesday when the incident happened at the junction of Pig Shoot Lane and Hurn Court Lane at Hurn.

PC Steve Donaldson of Christchurch police said: “This was an unprovoked attack.

“The offender, a white man, was the passenger in a silver or similar coloured pickup-style truck. He got out of the vehicle to shoot at the cyclist.

“He was wearing a dark blue or black hooded top with a yellow square motif upon it.

“After the incident, the victim was helped by a couple walking a dog. I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this assault, and anyone who has any information about the man responsible, to contact me as soon as possible.

“All calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 19:306, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.