A LORRY driver had a narrow escape when two youths hurled a slab of stone at him from a motorway bridge near Whiteley.

Martin Beckmann believes he could have been killed when his lorry was hit on the M27 yesterday morning.

The 37-year-old from Lordshill in Southampton was travelling westbound along the M27 near junction nine when he saw two youths standing on a bridge over the motorway watching cars beneath them.

One pointed at him before the other threw what is thought to be a large piece of stone straight at his vehicle.

Mr Beckmann swerved and it missed the windscreen, but ricocheted off the lorry's crane and hit the back window, which shattered.

He said: "I don't understand why anyone would do something like that.

" I only have to think back to the case of the poor chap who died when he was hit in the same situation.

"I don't have children myself, but I have a lot of friends who do and I adore children, but this is making me start to question my beliefs.

"It was, in effect, an attempt to kill someone. I could have been hit on the head or had to swerve and caused an accident. They could have killed someone."

He added: "I've been a lorry driver for 12 years and this is the first time I've seen anything like this."

The youths are described as 13 or 14 years old with short dark hair. They were wearing no tops but both carried rucksacks.

They ran off in the direction of Tynefield caravan site.

Mr Beckmann was driving his Hewden Plant Hire vehicle at about 55mph when he was hit at about 11am.

Anyone with information about the incidents or the youths involved is asked to call 0845 045 45 45 and ask for Fareham Police Station.