Anger as yobs hurl concrete onto car below from Briton Ferry bridge
A DRIVER escaped serious injury by inches when a lump of concrete was hurled from a bridge onto his car.
Lee Thomas had parked in a business yard below the A48 Briton Ferry bridge and had just got out when he heard a tremendous crash as the concrete smashed into his Vauxhall Astra windscreen.
-
Lucky escape: Lee Thomas
Police have condemned it as stupid and mindless behaviour, and want anyone who knows who the culprits are to come forward.
Mr Thomas had stopped off at Bishops Waste Management yard, below the bridge at its Jersey Marine end, and had got out to talk to a friend, who runs the company.
"As I turned round this massive lump of concrete landed on my car," said Mr Thomas, who lives in Caerau, Maesteg.
"There was a huge crash. It shattered the windscreen and nearly went through it — it left a shape like a soccer ball in the glass.
"I looked up and there were two kids up on the bridge. We got into my friend's car and went after them, but because of the one-way system we had to drive to Amazon and back, and by that time they were gone."
Mr Thomas said the concrete block left a dent in part of his car roof, as well as shattering the windscreen.
"I'd been over to Swansea to buy a filter for my van and my young daughter had asked to come out with me," he added.
"But I'd said no, which was just as well, because she would have been in the passenger seat when this happened."
Police have confirmed they are investigating the incident, which happened at around 12.40pm on Monday.
Inspector Jeff Handley, of Neath Port Talbot police, said: "It was very fortunate on this occasion that the driver of the Astra had left his vehicle, otherwise he could have been very seriously injured.
"We will not tolerate this stupid and mindless behaviour, and anyone caught engaging in this type of activity can rest assured that robust action will be taken.
"I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or has any relevant information to come forward."
Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
paul.lewis@swwmedia.co.uk
3 Comments
by Cllr.Tony Wyn-Jones, Neath
Friday, July 30 2010, 5:11PM
“I dread driving over these bridges and all way's look up if I see and youngsters on a bridge this act is so stupid it couled have killed some body well done to Ins.Handley I glad that the police are doing all in there power to investagate this”
by Bob, Kidwelly
Friday, July 30 2010, 11:00AM
“That was me. The Neath Port Talbot police seem to have taken this far more seriously than the police in Llanelli who didn't even bother to take a stement. The sergeant told me they wouldn't be investigating it as it would cost too much money!
I was so incensed at this lack of interest I went to the EP and only then did the police respond saying they were taking this matter very seriously. You could tell just how seriously they took it when the actually got the date and time of the incident wrong when asking for witness's.”
by Dai Chotomy, Swansea - ish
Thursday, July 29 2010, 9:17AM
“Stange that only yesterday in the comments on the egg throwing story someone described exactly this kind of insanity.”