Albury truckie Albert Coleman in the cab of his vehicle, which was struck by a projectile about 3.30am. Picture: Walmsley Stuart Source: Herald Sun
A RETIRED truck driver who was doing a favour for a mate was lucky to escape death when a piece of concrete weighing up to 15kg was thrown at his vehicle.
Albert Coleman, 68, was asked to do a trip after his friend couldn't find a replacement driver.
He was driving along the Western Ring Rd in Fawkner when the concrete piece smashed into his windscreen just before 3.30am today.
He was in one of four vehicles - along with another truck, an Australia Post van and a car - that were damaged as two people hurled rocks from an overpass, police said.
Mr Coleman said he was retiring for good after the terrifying incident.
"It shook me up," Mr Coleman told 3AW.
Albert Coleman was driving as a favour for his friend, but now wants to permanently retire. Picture: Walmsley Stuart
Mr Coleman's windscreen so badly damaged it had to be replaced before he could drive away from the scene.
"I thought I'd run into something," he said.
"All I could see was broken glass in front of me. My whole heart was going 19 to the dozen when I stopped.
"I could have been passing a car, I could have killed them."
One of the vehicles hit by a piece concrete thrown from an overpass overnight.
Police estimated the chunks of debris thrown from the footbridge between Widford St and Sydney Rd weighed between 10kg and 15kg.
Senior Constable Tim Fletcher said witnesses saw two people hurling the concrete.
"I can't fathom how anyone could do this. Whether they're getting their cheap thrills, I'm not sure," he told 3AW.
"At the end of the day, their actions were so reckless that it could have ended up in someone losing their life this morning."
The identity of those responsible is yet to be established and investigators from Craigieburn police are urging them to come forward.
Police estimated each concrete chunk weighed 10-15kg.
Debris was removed by traffic management crews working in the area.
It comes just days after a man was left with shards of glass in his eye in a similar attack.
The 22-year-old taken to hospital on Saturday after teenagers threw a rock from a Princes Highway overpass onto the road below.
Premier Ted Baillieu condemned that incident.
"I just want to say to anybody who thinks that’s a clever idea, we will, with Victoria Police track you down," Mr Baillieu said on Saturday.
This truck was damaged so badly its windscreen had to be replaced.
"It's incredibly dangerous, unacceptable and anybody who throws rocks at cars from bridge or roadsides is risking lives and they are risking themselves as well because they will end up having the book thrown at them."
Anyone who witnessed the latest incident or has information regarding those involved is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.
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