A keen cyclist says he could have been killed by a yob who fired a stone or rock at his head.

Andrew Norton was out on his bike along Halfway Road, Halfway, at 7.15pm on Thursday when he was targeted.

The 44-year-old was on his way back to his home in nearby Coronation Road, Sheerness. The object struck him at the back of the head just behind his left ear.

VIDEO: Andrew Norton was struck by a stone thrown from can

A newish white transit-style van then sped away with the passenger – a dark-haired man in his 20s – leaning out the window, laughing.

Full-time carer Mr Norton managed to control the bike and stopped at the side of the road “absolutely stunned”.

As the object hit him with such force, he believes the van passenger may have used a catapult.

The vehicle had slowed down before he was struck and then drove off towards Sheerness town centre.

He said: “It hit the boney part behind the ear and luckily didn’t cause me to fall off the bike.

“I was dizzy and shocked. I thought ‘what the hell just happened’? “I then felt really light-headed.

“They obviously had no remorse because the man was laughing. To do something so cruel and not to show any remorse is sickening.”

A few moments later, the fitness fanatic was spotted by his niece’s husband who coincidentally had been following the van.

He told how the driver had avoided the Queenborough Road traffic lights by driving through the BP service station.

He’d then gone the wrong way down Lynsted Road to bypass the Halfway lights.

Moments later Mr Norton, who cares for mum Jessie, 82, was struck. The former Sheppey Comp pupil has reported the matter to the police and spoke about his ordeal on social media.

People responded saying there had been other incidents of pedestrians having items thrown at them in the street.

The former hairdresser added: “I don’t know how that man can sleep at night; nobody should have to deal with this sort of thing, I was only out for a bike ride, minding my own business.”

If you have any information about the incident, call police on 101, quoting crime reference XY/28243/16.