YOBS who are thought to have sparked a car accident by throwing bricks from a motorway bridge could potentially have caused a tragedy.

That is the warning from police following an accident on the M57 motorway at Whiston, where a missile smacked against the windscreen of a lorry and a Nissan Micra car crashed into the central reservation after attempting to avoid a brick.

The accidents happened only moments after police had fielded calls from worried motorists who complained youths on a bridge were throwing bricks at on-coming traffic.

One man needed hospital treatment for minor injuries while the accident also resulted in both lanes of the southbound carriageway being temporarily closed.

Neighbourhood Inspector Shaun Holland said: "Recent events have highlighted the possible tragic consequences of such irresponsible behaviour and we are treating these incidents extremely seriously.

"Increased police patrols will be deployed in order to combat this dangerous behaviour. I would also like to remind parents to be aware of where their children are and what they are doing the light nights of the summer holidays."

Anyone who witnessed the incident at about 7pm on Wednesday, July 14, or can identify the youths involved is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.