Jason Davies said his son Devon, 12, was out riding his BMX pushbike last Tuesday with his mum and brother when he was knocked off his bike after coming into contact with a thin piece of rope tied up between two trees.

Devon was examined by doctors and had his neck put into a precautionary brace. He was soon released, with a laceration around his neck.

“He got the all clear, but as the doctor said if he’d been on a motorbike, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t be around now,” Mr Davies said.

Mr Davies said he’d been shocked and angry to hear there were people who would want to set up potentially fatal tricks.

“You hear stories about it growing up but you never think it would happen. It’s so messed up that people want to do that,” he said.

“I spent my childhood racing around bushes and it never happened to me, but it does happen.”

Mr Davies posted the photos of his son on social media, and received scores of replies from outraged people in Ballarat and also others who’d experienced similar situations.

Some people mentioned relatives who had been killed by the sadistic prank.

Devon’s mother reported the incident to police, but Mr Davies said little could be done.

Devon is back on his bike and his neck is healing well.

Parks Victoria district manager Tony English said he had never heard of a similar incident occur before in his area.

He said rangers kept an eye out for anything unusual and condemned acts such as this.

“The majority of park users enjoy the park and are respectful of each other,” he said.

“This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable in terms of public safety. Parks Victoria will pursue this matter with Victoria Police.”

Mr English asked anyone who saw vandals or pranksters in parks to report it to Park Victoria on 131 963 or to their local police.