Mum going to McDonald's stopped in her tracks by 'almighty bang'

A mum has warned drivers about a "scary experience" that happened as she was heading to McDonald's.

Jennie Thoburn was driving along Town Lane in Southport on Sunday, April 21, with her 16 and 19-year-old daughters when an "almighty bang" stopped them in their tracks.

The mum-of-two said she slammed on her brakes and got out of the vehicle to see the family's car window was cracked and on the brink of shattering.

And seconds later, after stepping out of the car, the glass shattered and fell where Jennie and her daughter had been sitting in the front seat. She described how the car window was hit with "such force" and that it all happened so fast.

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She told the ECHO: "We were going to get the girls a McDonald's for tea. We had been driving for hours coming back from spending the weekend in Manchester as [the girls] had a swimming gala.

"We'd made the plan to get some tea on the way home and started heading towards the retail park. I was driving along the road and heard an almighty bang and the window just went completely.

"I couldn't see at first what had caused it but found a tiny point where something had hit it with such force. It didn't go straight away but one touch and it was going to fall."

She told the ECHO how another person stopped behind them and asked if their car had been damaged.

She said: "It was such a scary experience. Another driver stopped and said that they had come back to find whoever caused damage to their car. They told me that they'd heard a similar noise and then there was damage to the roof of their car.

"I’m also grateful to the two ladies who were carers in the community that also stopped as well to check if we were all OK. They told me that something like this had happened in the street to them last weekend."

Jennie said that she reported the incident to the police and claimed that the force were made aware of similar issues in the area. She believes that the damage was caused by a pellet gun but this has not been confirmed by police.

She warned people to be careful if they have to drive in the area. She said: "We are lucky to be fully covered so the repairs only cost £60 but I'm without a car until it can be fixed. It's only been a day and I feel like I'm at a total loss without it."

Community Inspector Graham Fisher said: “This is incredible stupid and mindless behaviour which could have resulted in more serious consequences where someone could have been seriously injured or caused a fatality. I appeal to parents and guardians and urge them to know where their child is, what they are up to and friends they are with to help us deal with those who cause trouble.

“If you witness any anti-social behaviour or have any information about such incidents, please contact or speak to our officers and we will take action.”

Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact us @MerPolCC on Twitter, ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’ on Facebook or ring 101 with reference 24000361160. You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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