Driver's terror as stone-throwing thugs smash windscreen on M66

Daniel King was driving home from work when a teenager threw the stone at his Volkswagen from the east Lancashire railway bridge on the M66.

Mr King, who was badly shaken up by the incident, caught the terrifying moment the stone smashed into his windscreen on his dash cam video camera.

The 41-year-old, from Summerseat, who works as a Volkswagen and Audi specialist, said: “I was doing 70mph and as soon as it hit I put the brakes on. I couldn’t figure out whether something had been flicked up by another car and hit my windscreen and I was a bit shook up but carried on driving.

“It wasn’t until I got home and watched back my dash cam that I saw it hit as I drove under a bridge. I could just about make out four dark figures on the bridge and then saw the object come down and smash my windscreen. It could have been a lot worse if they had thrown something bigger. It’s very worrying.”

The incident took place at around 5.40pm on March 15 and it is understood other drivers were also targeted.

One driver’s side window was smashed and he was forced to pull over onto the hard shoulder.

A 15-year-old boy and three 14-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage with intent to endanger life and have been bailed pending further enquiries.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to come forward and help with their inquiries. Police Constable Chris Bent, of the Heywood and Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “It goes without saying that throwing stones or items of any kind off a bridge and onto the motorway is an incredibly stupid and dangerous thing to do. We would like to appeal to any motorists who were driving on the M66 at the time and have dash footage of the incident or anyone else who may have witnessed it to please contact police.”

Anybody with information should contact police on 0161 856 8701 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.