A MOTORIST ended up in a ditch and a second driver was slightly hurt when a pedal cycle was thrown from a road bridge on to the A64 today.

Police condemned as "hugely irresponsible" those who threw the bike on to the dual carriageway, sparking the two crashes.

The Raleigh Caprice ladies bike was thrown from the Sim Balk Lane bridge, near Bishopthorpe, just before 2am.

It landed on the eastbound carriageway, where the driver of a Ford Fiesta was forced to swerve to avoid it.

The car ended up in a ditch, but luckily the driver was not injured.

The driver of a Seat Arosa then drove into the bike and was slightly injured, but refused hospital treatment.

Sergeant Andy Farrar said: "This was done with total disregard for the safety of passing motorists, and could have resulted in a far more serious incident."

PC Gary Lumb said: "Anything thrown from a bridge, or anywhere else, on to a carriageway has the potential to cause serious injuries, or even fatalities.

"An object, thrown from above and hitting a vehicle that is travelling at speed could obviously have very serious consequences for those in the vehicle it hits and other people using the road at that time."

AA spokesman Richard Freeman said: "Obviously this is hugely irresponsible and is not in any way a harmless prank.

"It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that someone doing this sort of thing could be charged with attempted murder."

Mr Freeman advised motorists spotting an object to stop when it is safe and then ring the police.

"Never put yourself at risk," he said.

Local councillor John Galvin said: "I condemn this in the strongest possible terms. It is disgraceful behaviour that caused a risk to all users of the A64 and hopefully whoever is responsible will be caught."

The crash happened at about 1.45am today. Anyone with information is asked to phone the police on 01904 631321.

Updated: 14:49 Monday, June 24, 2002