A YOUNG couple were lucky to escape with their lives when a lump of concrete was deliberately dropped from a motorway footbridge on to their car. Neil Scott was driving his girlfriend to hospital when the object smashed into the sunroof on his Ford Escort.

The couple were saved by a sunscreen inside the car which stopped the block from hitting them. The incident happened on the M20 at Aylesford, near Maidstone. Mr Scott, 20, of Senacre in Maidstone, said: "There was an enormous bang. If it had happened a fraction of a second earlier it would have hit the windscreen and who knows what would have happened. Who knows if the next person it happens to will be so lucky. Whoever did this could have killed both of us." We were lucky, the next person might not be."

The incident happened at about 8.45pm on Tuesday at the Teapot Lane footbridge and police are appealing for witnesses. Investigating officer PC Paula Clay said: "It is incredibly fortunate that nobody was injured. "I want to emphasise how dangerous it is to drop anything from a footbridge, especially on to a carriageway with fast moving traffic.

"We would urge anyone who saw this take place to contact police immediately so we can catch the person or persons responsible."

Anyone with any information can contact PC Paula Clay on 01622 608182 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111. The call is free and may earn you a reward.