National Highways planning M56 sweep after serious injury incident

Jake Gray was injured after an object smashed through the windscreen of his car on the M56

NATIONAL Highways has confirmed that it will be conducting a sweep of the M56 after a driver was seriously injured.

As previously reported, a driver ‘cheated death by inches’ after a metal object smashed through his windscreen and sliced his head open as he drove along the motorway.

Welder Jake Gray, 31, had been travelling to work in his VW Golf when the piece of metal flew through his front windscreen and out of the rear window.

The dad-of-two was left with a severe head wound pouring with blood, but he managed to safely pull onto the hard shoulder along the M56.

The incident occurred at around 6am last Thursday, May 29, between junctions 10 for Stretton and 11 for Daresbury.

Jake called the police and was taken to Warrington Hospital, where he was treated for a hairline fracture of the skull.

He also had air trapped in his head and was left with a swollen face following the horror incident.

National Highways has now issued a statement, with a spokesman stating: “Our thoughts are with Mr Gray after this incident.

“While it would be inappropriate to comment on the details of this specific incident due to the police investigation, National Highways has rigorous motorways inspection, reactive, and routine maintenance regimes to tackle defects and remove debris.

“In urgent cases, we can and do close lanes or a carriageway to remove debris, including after collisions, or in cases where items have fallen from vehicles.

“The next planned ‘sweep’ of this section of the M56 is at the end of the month.

“Anyone spotting hazardous debris can report it to us, when they can do so safely, by calling our 24/7 customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.”

Jake, of Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, said: "I was on my way to work listening to Smooth radio, and then suddenly I blinked and noticed my window was completely smashed

“It was completely obliterated by this object that had come through, glass shattered in my face, and I looked down and I was covered in blood.

“I somehow managed to pull over safely and called 999. It all happened in the blink of an eye, and I was screaming in panic because of the blood.

“But it could have been a lot worse. I could easily have been decapitated.

“The officer who turned up had a first aid kit and we were just trying to stop this relentless bleeding.

“I believe it was a piece of metal of some sort to do that damage, but I do not know where it came from. It may have come from a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.

“I just want to stress the importance of HGVs securing loads properly or being netted over, because I could have died.

“Also, that central reservations are kept clean, as that obstacle has come from somewhere, not just thin air.

“I have been lucky. I could have lost my life. It must have hit a main vein right above my ear, but it could quite easily have been a different story.

“NHS staff who looked after me were incredible. I need to say a big thank you to them too.”

Police and highways officers said they were unable to see any signs of the object at the scene.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: “At around 6.15am on Thursday, May 29, police received reports of a road traffic incident on the M56 between junctions 10 and 11.

“The caller reported an unknown object had hit his vehicle, smashing the windscreen and causing an injury to his head.

“He was taken to hospital and later discharged.

“Enquiries are currently ongoing.”