Vandals condemned for snowball attack (From York Press)

Vandals condemned for snowball attack

12:30pm Tuesday 29th January 2013 in News By Dan Bean, dan.bean@thepress.co.uk

MOTORISTS in North Yorkshire could have been killed when “mindless” vandals threw large balls of snow from a bridge.

A group of two or three people wearing hooded tops were seen on a bridge over the A19 at Knayton, on Saturday and Sunday (JAN 26 and 27), before the objects were dropped.

North Yorkshire Police said the falling objects caused the windscreen of one car to shatter, and badly dented the roof of another. The windscreens of two other vehicles were also hit, but not damaged.

PC Andrew Johnson, of Thirsk Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “These were acts of utterly mindless stupidity. Throwing anything from bridges at passing cars has the potential to cause disastrous consequences. It is only through good luck that no one was seriously hurt or worse.

An RAC spokesman criticised those resposible for the incident, and said the consequences of their actions could have been fatal.

He said: “Dropping snowballs from bridges on to moving vehicles below is the height of stupidity and is extremely dangerous. Apart from the considerable damage that snow and ice can do to vehicles, it puts lives at risk. The distraction or fright could very easily lead to a collision that results in serious injury or even death.

“What may seem like just a bit of fun can have very serious, far-reaching consequences for those motorists unfortunate enough to be targeted. We hope the police find those responsible and that they are dealt with accordingly. The RAC understands people want to have fun in the snow but there is no excuse for this kind of stupidity.”

PC Johnson said: “The people who threw these balls of snow, which I believe would taken more than one person to lift, need to understand the potential dangers of their senseless actions.”

Anyone who can help police with their enquiries, or identify the people who threw the balls should contact police on 101, email andrew.johnson@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or phone Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.