A CYCLIST was horrifically injured after ‘a gang of animals’ kicked and stabbed him in the head.

Chris Shields, from Runcorn, suffered a fractured skull and had to have lifesaving emergency surgery.

The 39-year-old was attacked by a violent mob of around 10 teenagers as he rode his bike along Whitchurch Way in Halton Lodge.

His distraught mum Barbara Chamberlain, 60, from Weston Point, said: “They stabbed him in the head with a metal post off a bike seat.

“When he got to hospital he couldn’t speak. They thought he’d had a stroke.

“He had a depressed fracture. They had to pick shrapnel from the bike off his wound and realign his skull to keep it away from his brain.

“The potential of what could have happened is awful.

“Chris is so lucky to be alive.”

The vicious unprovoked assault happened at around 8.30pm on Thursday, April 6.

Former call centre worker Chris told detectives that a group of around 10 youths started calling him names and intimidating him as he rode towards the shops.

Barbara said: “He told them to go away and leave him alone. He warned them that if they came near him he would throw his bike at them.

“As one of them rushed towards him he threw his bike.

“Chris ran away and they followed him. They all launched in kicking him and then he got stabbed in the head with a bike seat.”

A neighbour raised the alarm and managed to call his brother Michael, 35, as paramedics took Chris to Aintree University Hospital where a crash team was waiting to treat him.

“I’m just absolutely incensed,” added Barbara. “They were like a gang of animals.

“I’m having nightmares and can’t sleep. I keep waking up reliving it all thinking of him lying on the floor. It’s just horrible.

“It’s like the attack on Garry Newlove only that poor man lost his life.

“These perpetrators must be caught and punished. Next time somebody could be dead.”

Police say a verbal exchange between a group of teenagers became violent and the victim was assaulted by multiple attackers.

A dispersal zone, preventing people from congregating in the area, was in place over the weekend in response to this incident.

DI Clare Coleman from Runcorn CID, said: “This was a serious assault by a number of attackers which has left a man hospitalised.

“The offenders have been described as teenagers and I would urge anyone who saw a large group in the area around the time of the offence to contact police so we can find those responsible.

“This type of violence is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Insp Mike Skillen said: “It is concerning that that a group of teenagers could do something like this.

“We have a dispersal zone in place and will be patrolling the area to provide reassurance.

“I would ask parents to help us by keeping tabs on their children’s whereabouts, and that if you have any concerns about this incident to contact police.”

Chris has now been discharged from hospital and is recovering at home.

Detectives today, Tuesday, released details of two teenagers wanted in connection with the assault.

Police say after the dispute, two of the boys became violent and assaulted the victim, hitting him on the head with a bicycle seat post.

The first suspect is a white boy, aged 14-16, approximately 5ft 6ins tall, with short dark hair.

He was wearing a black waist length puffer jacket.

The second suspect is described as of slim build, in his teens, with thin blonde length hair and a slim face.

He was wearing a grey hooded top.

DI Coleman added: “This was a particularly vicious attack which has left the victim with serious injuries.

“The victim has since been discharged from hospital but understandably he is very shaken by what has happened.

“We are determined to do all that we can to trace the people responsible for this appalling act.

“We are continuing to carry out a number of enquiries – these include examining CCTV footage, forensic analysis and speaking to local residents. Our investigation will continue over the coming days.

“As with all investigations, information from the public is vital and I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how small, to contact the team here at Runcorn.

“We believe that between 10 and 12 teenagers were present at the time this incident took place and I would urge parents in the local area speak to their children about what happened in case they have any information that could assist with our enquiries.

“I’d also like to appeal directly to the teenagers who were involved to come forward and speak to us about what happened.

“Information from the public is vital and I would urge anyone with any information, no matter how small, to contact the team here at Runcorn.

Inspector Skillen added: “At this stage this appears to be an isolated incident and we are doing everything we can to establish the exact circumstances of what has happened to trace those responsible.

“Local officers remain in the area to provide reassurance to the community and I urge anyone with any issues or concerns to speak to a local officer.

“As the school holidays continue, I’d also like to remind parents to ensure that they know where their children are at all times.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident 877 of 06/04/17 or alternatively, Crimestoppers.