Welder ‘could have been decaptiated’ after mystery object smashed through windscreen on busy motorway

WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT: Jake Gray was left with a fractured skull and gaping wound across his head after the object flew through his windscreen and out the back window, shattering both

Poppy Kennedy Chief Reporter and Elaine Blackburne Network Content Editor 15:28, 04 Jun 2025

A welder has told how he "could have been decapitated" when a mystery object smashed through his windscreen on a busy motorway. Jake Gray was travelling to Warrington on the M56 when the accident happened leaving him with a gash across his head and a fractured skull.

The 31-year-old is now hoping to find witnesses as well as seeking ways of cutting the risk of similar accidents happening to others.

Checks have been made for the object however it is yet to be found. Cheshire Police have confirmed that their investigations are continuing.

Jake told how he set off from his home in Thornaby, Stockton-on-Teeson May 29 at 4.30am, heading to a job in Warrington on what should have been his day off. He explained he was in the third lane of the carriageway when the incident happened.

He said: "Something must have come across over the barrier as there was nothing directly in front of me.

It's sliced straight through the windscreen, glass shattered in my face and it's gone out the rear window.

"I don't know how but managed to pull over safely and that's when I called 999. It all happened in the blink of an eye. I screamed in panic.

I noticed when I looked in the mirror that I had a big gash in the side of my face, past above my ear."

Jake, a professional welder, said the incident occurred around 6.15am, reports Teesside Live[1]. He was left at the roadside, pressing his jumper against his head to stem the bleeding while awaiting the arrival of emergency services.

He added: "It must have hit a main vein right above my ear. I was just trying to apply pressure.

It could have been a different story. I could easily have been decapitated. When the first police officer arrived, he had a first aid kit and we were just trying to stop the bleeding - it was just relentless.

"I think it's got to be some sort of metal material to do that damage.

It's a clean slice through the window. The rear headrest was ripped out but there's no other debris in my car."

Following the incident, Jake was taken to hospital where he received stitches for the gash on his head. A CT scan revealed a fracture to his skull and a possible air pocket.

After spending the night under observation, he was able to return home to Teesside with his mum the next day.

Jake, whose VW Golf is currently in the garage, is now appealing for any witnesses to come forward.

He has asked anyone who may have dashcam footage from the M56 on Thursday morning (May 29) to step forward. After sharing his experience on Facebook[2], Jake says several people have reached out about potential sources of the object.

He's also received dash-cam footage of a lorry pulled over on the opposite carriageway where the driver appears to be securing the load around the time of the incident. Jake is appealing for two drivers to come forward.

He believes a white van and a black Mercedes were parked on the hard shoulder in front of a red wagon at the time of the accident. He said his main concern is preventing similar incidents from occurring in the future.

He expressed his gratitude towards the hospital staff, saying he "can't thank the brilliant hospital staff enough."

The source of the debris that caused the accident remains unclear.

Jake suspects it may have come from another vehicle travelling down the opposite carriageway rather than the central reservation.

He said: "I don't want any sympathy. I just want to get to the bottom of it and make people aware so steps can be taken to prevent this from happening again."

He urged lorry drivers to ensure their loads are secure and called for regular cleaning of the central reservation. He added: "We pay our taxes for the carriageways to be kept in good order and we need to make sure they're kept clear."

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police provided details of the incident: "At around 6.15am on Thursday 29 May, police received reports of a road traffic incident on the M56 between junction 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."

A spokesperson for National Highways said: "Our thoughts are with Mr Gray after this incident. While it would be inappropriate to comment on the details of this specific incident due 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."

References

1. ^ Teesside Live (www.gazettelive.co.uk)
2. ^ After sharing his experience on Facebook (www.facebook.com)