Worry after boulder dropped on to van from bridge

Villagers say they have been left shocked and worried after a boulder was dropped off a bridge on to a man's van.

A 26-year-old driver was seriously injured on Friday night when a large rock was dropped from a crossing over the A617, in Rainworth, Nottinghamshire, and went through his windscreen, police said.

The road was closed for several hours as officers carried out inquiries at the scene.

In an appeal on Saturday, Nottinghamshire Police said it was an "abhorrent act" and asked witnesses to come forward.

Christopher Mallor, 45, said: "It's quite shocking. I walk across the bridge a couple of times a week and the fact that something's been thrown over the top - it seems quite an effort to do that because it's got barriers both sides.

"It is worrying. Obviously you don't want to look up and see that coming down at you."

Anne Simpson, who has lived in Rainworth for more than 50 years, said she could not understand why anyone would do something like this.

On driving under the bridge, the 81-year-old said: "It probably would be on my mind now.

"It's just not something you expect to happen."

Glen McPherson, from Mansfield, works at a school close to the bridge, and said the incident was "shocking and senseless".

"It's a bit of a blind spot. It'd be good if they could put some cameras on that bridge because it's quite remote.

"It's quite nerve-wracking now and it's definitely made me think and check when I've driven under [the bridge] this weekend," the 44-year-old added.

Another woman, who did not want to be named, said it was difficult to see the bridge at night.

"I drive up and down there regularly," she said.

"I came back that way the other day and I actually made sure I had a quick look up to make sure there was nothing on top."

Tom Smith, a Conservative councillor for Rainworth, said there had been "a bit of antisocial behaviour" in the past but believed Friday's incident "went far beyond antisocial behaviour".

He added that residents were "rightly" angry but had been "rallying around" the man affected.

"It is just the actions of this individual or indeed these individuals who have attempted to cause this harm and cause this fear in people and that is appalling that it's happened and there's no excuse for it," he said.

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