Overbridge missiles hit three cars

Brent Greig's windscreen was hit by an object thrown from an overbridge. Picture / Paul Estcourt

Transit is facing new calls to fence motorway overbridges after three vehicles were struck by objects within seconds of each other, smashing windscreens and injuring a driver.

Brent Greig said the impact sent his rear-view mirror hurtling through the front seat, striking his elbow and showering him in shards of glass.

Mr Greig's Holden Rodeo was one of three vehicles hit by objects thrown from the Park Estate Rd overbridge, past the Papakura off-ramp, around 8.40pm on Sunday.

Inspector Gavin Macdonald of the police northern communications centre said the first driver reported that "something heavy" had cracked the windscreen.

The second caller said a rock had smashed the windscreen, while the third person said a can of lemonade had dented the bonnet.

Three police cars were sent to the scene but no one was found on the overbridge, Mr Macdonald said.

Mr Greig said his rear vision mirror was propelled "as a missile" into his elbow. The force of the impact shattered the mirror and shards of glass grazed his neck.

"Someone else ... could have lost control and ended up being killed and you wonder why it happened in the first place," he said.

"Why can't the largest city in New Zealand have just standard [fences] right through? Does it require another death to get Transit to make things happen?"

Taupo man Chris Currie was killed last August when an 8kg piece of concrete thrown from the Princes St overbridge went through his windscreen. A 14-year-old charged with murder will go on trial next month.

Taupo police last week caught two boys, aged 13 and 15, who had been throwing lengths of wood and concrete on to State Highway 1 at Wairakei.

The teens, who were referred to police youth aid, did not show any remorse after they were tracked by police dogs and found hiding in bushes, said Sergeant James McGrogan.

National MP Paul Hutchison said Transit and the Government should take immediate action to protect motorists. "There are options available, including protective netting and stronger law enforcement, but the authorities continue to do nothing."

Transit Northern operations manager Joseph Flanagan said officials would today ask police for details of the Sunday night incidents. Transit would then consider what action could be taken.

Mr Flanagan said it was "not practical" to fence every motorway and highway overbridge.

"The network is such a big network - what do you fence and what don't you fence? We are saying we are committed to making the motorway and state highway as safe as possible for all people, so we would take what we believe is the most appropriate measure."

Transit would make temporary fencing at the Princes St overbridge a permanent fixture, said Mr Flanagan, and the Bairds Rd overbridge was also likely to be fenced.