A STONE thrown at a car on one of Kent's busiest roads resulted in a multi-vehicle accident.

The stone smashed through the front windscreen of a Ford Fiesta being driven by a 37-year-old man on the Thanet Way.

It caused the shocked driver, from Herne Bay, to stop on the carriageway just beyond the Whitstable junction. Three others cars later collided with the stationary vehicle and a police car that was attending the incident.

Although no one was seriously injured, the road was closed coastbound to allow for recovery of damaged cars.

At around the same time, late on Sunday night, there were reports of stones being thrown at an Iveco Cargo lorry that had its windscreen smashed and damage was caused to other cars including an Audi, another Ford Fiesta and a Seat.

There were similar reports of problems in the area last Friday night when a lorry driver reported that a stone had damaged the cab of his lorry.

Insp Mick Gardener, of Canterbury Police, said: “This is not just ignorance. It is down right dangerous. We were very lucky on Sunday evening that the accident was not more serious but there is a very real chance that someone could be badly hurt or even killed by these children.

"We are taking the incident very seriously and investigating it as criminal damage with intent to endanger life.

"Patrols on bridges over the Thanet Way and alongside the road are being increased and we would urge drivers to contact us if see people throwing stones in the area.”

“Last year a young man was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter after a lorry driver on the M3 died as a result of a stone smashing being thrown. I would urge parents and teachers to ensure that children are aware of the dangers of this behaviour.”