Driver tells of lucky escape as windscreen smashed by child on A38
POLICE believe a motorist had a lucky escape when the windscreen of his van shattered after a child threw a stone at it.
The incident happened at about 2pm on the A38 dual carriageway heading west-bound towards Dobwalls.
The 46-year-old male driver of a Ford Transit van, Mark Addicott, was driving past Liskeard when his windscreen smashed.
Fortunately the stone hit the passenger side of the windscreen, meaning the driver was uninjured.
Up to six children had been seen on the over-bridge which forms part of Station Road, Liskeard.
Officers investigating the incident – which happened last Friday – say they believe at least one child threw a stone at the traffic on the road below.
Detective Sergeant Tim Wright, who is investigating the case, said the behaviour of the child could have caused a major incident.
"The risk of serious injury or even death cannot be over-emphasised," DS Wright said.
"If the stone had hit the windscreen just two feet closer, then the driver could have been seriously injured, or he could have lost control and crashed his vehicle."
DS Wright also urged parents of local children in the area to be aware of what they are doing.
"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," he added.
Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to call the police on 101, quoting the crime reference number BD12 202.
Alternatively witnesses can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
4 Comments
by celophis
Friday, February 24 2012, 11:11PM
“,maybe the police should have tested him for drugs and/or serched the van”
by celophis
Friday, February 24 2012, 11:09PM
“dident i see this man on the crime section of the paper.............................”
by LAno1
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 4:53PM
“I have been in a similar situation . It is a truly frightening experience. I think a visit from traffic cops to primary and secondary schools with footage of the outcome of major accidents from these kind of incidents would help to educate children from an early age . The severity of the footage could be shown according to the age of the children. They can be shown what the poor families face when there is a fatality etc. It seems this idea may seem over the top to some people, however it does not need to be forced on children the parents can choose to opt out . This is only a suggestion and by no means made law. If parents opt out ,then they should make every effort that its not their child that becomes the culprit. If it saves one life a year its a life worth saving.”
by sadperson
Tuesday, February 21 2012, 8:47AM
“Dear Editor,
Perhaps you might arrange for one of your alleged journalists to amend the headline of this report to read - Driver tells of lucky escape. Adding the 'of' makes more sense in the English language.
You might also consider adding something about a stone into the headline because the way it reads at the moment, one could be forgiven for thinking that someone threw a child at the windscreen.
Buck Up!”