By Dave Lord

A FEMALE motorist and her three passengers cheated death after a missile thrown by a mindless thug struck their car on a stretch of motorway close to Perth.

A “stupid and irresponsible” teenager is reported to have thrown the item from a footbridge above the M90.

Police yesterday said there could easily have been fatal consequences and asked for public assistance as they attempt to bring the culprit to justice.

The projectile launched from the footbridge above the busy road struck the 20-year-old woman’s car, causing the wheel to puncture.

Although hundreds of pounds of damage was caused, the consequences could clearly have been far more serious.

A police spokeswoman yesterday gave details of the incident and launched an angry attack on those involved.

“At around 6.45 pm on Thursday night the 20- year-old woman was driving her Peugeot 106 car westward along the M90 between Craigend and Broxden in Perth,” she explained.

“She noticed three youths standing on the footbridge that crosses the road, and one of the youths, believed to be a boy aged between 14 and 15, threw something from the footbridge that hit the car below causing the damage.”

The spokeswoman said the consequences could have been more grave.

“Miraculously the woman and her three passengers in the car escaped uninjured,” she commented. “However, the incident could easily have resulted in a serious or even fatal accident.”

Police had harsh words for those behind the incident.

“Words cannot adequately describe how stupid and irresponsible these youths have been,” the spokeswoman said.

“This is a very serious incident and one that could have had tragic consequences.

“What these youths may think is a bit of harmless fun could have resulted in the death of an innocent motorist and her passengers.”

The spokeswoman added that the missile was an “unknown object.”

Anyone who witnessed the incident take place or who thinks they can identify those responsible should call the police on 01738 621141.