A BUS driver cheated death when a missile thrown from a bridge over a motorway smashed the windscreen of his vehicle.

The five-foot long metal pole was deliberately launched from an overhead bridge on the M8 in Glasgow.

Police said the bus was travelling along the busy motorway, near Townhead, when a missile thrown from an overhead pedestrian bridge hurtled through the bus' windscreen.

The driver was showered in glass and left badly shaken by his ordeal.

Police today branded the incident as "terrifying".

It is the latest in a spate of similar attacks over the M8 motorway in Townhead and Royston.

Police chiefs said the driver was lucky to be alive after the incident, which happened at the weekend.

Officers have stepped up patrols in a bid to catch those responsible for the horror attack.

Chief Inspector Mark Sutherland said: "This was a terrifying incident for everyone involved, and in particular, the driver of the bus who was left badly shaken.

"These incidents could have been far worse and those who are responsible need to know that this is not a simple vandalism."

In a direct warning to the thugs, Mr Sutherland said: "You are putting peoples life's at risk and this type of behaviour will not be tolerated."

The bus was targeted as it joined the motorway, from Stirling Road at Junction 15, at around 8.30pm on Saturday.

Police said other attacks in recent days have seen "boulders" and other debris thrown at vehicles - some of which are travelling at up to 70mph.

Missiles have been thrown from a number of overhead footbridges near to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

A huge CCTV trawl is now underway to indentify the culrpits.

Mr Sutherland, area commander for the city centre, added: "We will be working with Community Safety Glasgow to increase our joint presence in the area, while monitoring CCTV cameras

"Our inquiries are continuing, with witnesses being interviewed and door-to-door inquiries, being carried out along with checks on local CCTV.

"In the meantime, I would urge motorists to be vigilant while travelling through the area."

There is currently no descriptions of the suspects available.

Earlier this year, a driver told of his lucky escape after his car was attacked by wreckless thugs on another stretch of motorway.

The man, who did not want to be named, said he was inches away from being killed when stones and bricks were thrown at his car on the M80 in Glasgow.

Four cars in total were damaged and the drivers left shaken by the attack near Robroyston, which was described by police as "frankly idiotic".

Three males, believed to be teenagers, stood on the railway line above junction 1 and 2 and threw the bricks and large stones at cars.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.

rebecca.gray@eveningtimes.co.uk