Driver has narrow escape as metal object smashes through windscreen
Jake Gray, a 31-year-old welder, was travelling to work in his VW Golf when the piece of metal flew through his front windscreen and out of the rear window.
The father of two was left with a severe head wound pouring with blood, but managed to safely pull on to the hard shoulder of the M56 in Cheshire. The mystery object had missed his face by a matter of inches.
He called police after the incident on May 29 and was taken to hospital in Warrington, where he was treated for a hairline fracture of the skull.
Mr Gray, of Stockton, County Durham, said: 'I was on my way to work listening to Smooth Radio, and then suddenly I blinked and noticed my window was completely smashed.
'It was completely obliterated by this object that had come through, glass shattered in my face and I looked down and I was covered in blood. It has sliced straight through the windscreen and it's gone out the rear window too, which was also smashed, so it went right through the car.
'I somehow managed to pull over safely and called 999. It all happened in the blink of an eye and I was screaming in panic because of the blood. But it could have been a lot worse. I could easily have been decapitated.'
Police and highways officers were unable to find the object at the scene of the incident, between junctions 10 for Stretton and 11 for Daresbury.
A Cheshire Constabulary spokesman said: 'At around 6.15am on May 29, police received reports of a road traffic incident on the M56 between junctions 10 and 11.
'The caller reported an unknown object had hit his vehicle, smashing the windscreen and causing an injury to his head. He was taken to hospital and later discharged. Inquiries are currently ongoing.'
A National Highways spokesman said: 'Our thoughts are with Mr Gray after this incident. While it would be inappropriate to comment on the details of this specific incident due the police investigation, National Highways has rigorous motorways inspection, reactive and routine maintenance regimes to tackle defects and remove debris.
'In urgent cases, we can and do close lanes or a carriageway to remove debris including after collisions or in cases where items have fallen from vehicles. The next planned 'sweep' of this section of the M56 is at the end of the month.
'Anyone spotting hazardous debris can report it to us, when they can do so safely, by calling our 24-7 customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.'
Anyone with information is asked call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting crime reference number 25000440305.
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