Fatal crash fears as yobs hurl missile from bridge

May 12 2011 by Leona Greenan, Hamilton Advertiser

YOBS put a Hamilton couple’s life at risk by launching a boulder from a bridge which smashed their car windscreen as they were travelling.

The hooligans threw the rock from a footbridge over the busy A725 carriageway, near Strathclyde Business Park in Bellshill.

The woman driver was travelling with her boyfriend when the attack took place at 7.15pm on Thursday, May 5.

The 27-year-old female had just left the Raith Interchange.

She was heading along the A725 in the direction of Coatbridge when she spotted two people walking along a footbridge, which links Bellshill Industrial Estate and Righead Industrial Estate.

Moments later her car windscreen was shattered by the missile, leaving the woman and her partner covered in shards of glass.

The couple told police officers who attended the scene of the incident they were lucky they weren’t seriously injured in the cowardly attack.

Now community safety officer at Bellshill, PC Alan Mulholland, is appealing for witnesses to come forward.

He said: “The A725 has a 50mph hour speed limit and a vast number of vehicles travelling on it each day.

“Bellshill Police Station have received at least three complaints of bricks being thrown from the bridges over the A725 carriageway over the past year.

“The consequences of this type of reckless behaviour have thankfully not yet resulted in serious injury.

“But if these type of incidents continue then, unfortunately, it could only be a matter of time before it does.

“I would urge anyone who thinks that throwing any items on to vehicles from the overhead bridge is just a bit of fun to think again.

“Their actions, which could potentially lead to a death or serious injury being caused, could see that person facing a long period in prison.

“Anyone who knows anything about last Thursday's incident should come forward and speak to us about it.

“Contact can be made direct on 01698 202400 or call Crimestoppers, free and in complete confidence, on 0800 555 111."