A HEROIC van driver averted a potentially tragic motorway crash after being hit in the face at 100mph by a wheelnut that smashed through his windscreen.

Despite being in agony and covered in blood, Steve Davis had the presence of mind to steer his vehicle away from the traffic and on to the hard shoulder following the potentially lethal incident on the M27 in Southampton.

Doctors at Southampton General Hospital have been working to save the Totton man's left eye, and they are due to carry out more surgery on it this week, as well as repair a broken cheekbone.

Police have impounded a tipper lorry after two wheels fell off at high speed at Rownhams, with one of the wheelnuts hitting Mr Davis just an inch from his left eye.

His eye was hit by glass and glass dust and one fragment lodged in the pupil.

Yet despite the shock, the injury and the agony, Mr Davis still managed to keep control of the van, which also had hole smashed through its bonnet by another chunk of flying metal.

His work supervisor, Andy Woods, said: "He did absolutely brilliantly. All I can say is that when I got there he was in a terrible mess. There was blood everywhere.

"But we're really pleased it wasn't more serious. He's a lovely lad who has worked for us for quite a few years."

Among the first on the scene in response to Mr Davis's 999 call was Eastleigh-based traffic officer PC James Davies.

He said: "He received a serious injury to his face but he still managed to keep control of his vehicle and bring it to the hard shoulder.

"It could have been a lot more serious if he had just stopped in the middle of the motorway."

The lorry has been impounded and a probe is under way into what caused the wheels to shear off.

Meanwhile, the police have renewed their appeals for anyone who saw the incident, which happened at around 2.15pm last Wednesday, to contact PC Davies at the Eastleigh traffic section on 0845 045 4545