Windscreen hit by object thrown from motorway bridge
Submitted: 09/03/2010 12:21:05
Object thrown from motorway bridge
Surrey Police is appealing for information after an object was thrown from a motorway bridge hitting a passing vehicle on Tuesday, 2 March.
At around 10.30am a lorry was driving on the M25 just past junction 8 on the anti clockwise carriageway when it passed under the footbridge which crosses the motorway. The driver of the Ford lorry heard a loud bang on the windscreen and realised that a glass dent had appeared and the windscreen glass had cracked.
The driver saw two people standing on the bridge prior to the incident.
The driver was shaken but was not injured.
East Surrey Police is reminding potential offenders of the seriousness of throwing objects from bridges and warning they face robust action when they are caught.
Acting Detective Inspector Tony Giles said: “It is extremely dangerous to throw objects from bridges into the paths of on-coming traffic.
“On this occasion the driver was able to keep control of the lorry but a distraction of this magnitude could have easily caused him to lose control and collide with another vehicle on the busy motorway. The consequences could have been much worse and, as a result of one mindless act, the culprits could have been facing charges of manslaughter or even murder.
“In 2003 lorry driver Michael Little died after a teenager threw a brick through his cab window. That teenager was sent to prison for six years.
“We are very keen to trace those seen on the motorway bridge prior to this incident. The M25 is a very busy motorway and I am confident someone must have seen these people. We would like to hear from any witnesses to this incident or anyone who remembers seeing two people on or around the bridge and can provide any further information about their identity.
“We would also like to hear from anyone else who may have been victim to or witnessed any similar incidents that day.”
Anyone with information should contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference RB/10/1937.
ENDS SW/84/10
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