Driver 'lucky to be alive' after windscreen shattered by stone

A van driver is lucky to be alive after his windscreen was shattered by a stone believed to have been thrown by a child on a bridge, police said today.

Up to six children were seen on an overpass over the A38 dual carriageway at Liskeard, Cornwall, before a stone hit the Ford Transit on the passenger side of the windscreen, narrowly avoiding injuring the 46-year-old driver.

Devon and Cornwall Police said they believe a stone was dropped by at least one of the children standing in Station Road where it passed over the busy trunk road.

Detective Sergeant Tim Wright, said: "The risk of serious injury or even death cannot be over-emphasised.

"If the stone had hit the windscreen just two-feet closer (to the driver), then the driver could have been seriously injured, or he could have lost control and crashed his vehicle.

"Parents should discuss the dangers of this sort of behaviour with their children and ensure that they've done everything they can to reduce the risks of them causing injury in similar circumstances."

The incident happened at 2pm last Friday as the van driver headed west in the direction of Bodmin but police only released details today.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Police on 101, quoting reference BD/12/202.

PA