Stephen Haines said the windshield of the hydrovac truck he was driving was smashed by a banana that was thrown by someone on a school bus on Bear Line Road Tuesday afternoon. April 16, 2019. (Submitted photo)Stephen Haines said the windshield of the hydrovac truck he was driving was smashed by a banana that was thrown by someone on a school bus on Bear Line Road Tuesday afternoon. April 16, 2019. (Submitted photo)
Chatham

Banana, water bottle tossed from school bus in CK smash windshields

Chatham-Kent police are investigating after multiple vehicles were reportedly hit with objects that appear to have been thrown from a school bus into oncoming traffic.

Pictures have been circulating on social media this week of windshields that were reportedly smashed as a result of the incidents, all of which took place on Bear Line Road just outside of Chatham.

Local hydrovac truck driver Stephen Haines said he was driving towards Chatham on Bear Line Road at around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday when his vehicle was hit.

"It happened so fast, we were driving by the bus and all of a sudden... it was a banana... not in a million years would I think a banana would smash my windshield, but the impact was pretty good," said Haines. "When it hit, I could've sworn it was a potato or an apple, but when we got out, there was banana peels everywhere, I couldn't believe it."

Haines said the school bus passed by too quickly for him to take down any information that could help him identify it or any of the students on board, but added that he has reported the incident to police.

It appears Haines isn't the only driver who was targeted on the same stretch of road, either.

Haines said since his vehicle was hit on Tuesday, he has heard of a handful of other similar incidents on Bear Line Road including one where a UniFirst vehicle's windshield was smashed by what appears to have been a water bottle. A UniFirst employee was able to confirm the report, adding the incident took place at around 3 p.m. Wednesday, but declined further comment.

"I've heard that it has been going on for a couple of days -- I imagine they're probably doing it every day on the way home, they probably think it was funny, but they might not know better," said Haines. "A banana's one thing, but when they start throwing water bottles, what's next?"

Haines said he doesn't wish any harm upon the person responsible, but he is hoping the police can get to the bottom of it.

"Hopefully [the person responsible] learns a lesson over it -- fortunately no one has been hurt so far, but it easily could happen," said Haines.

Chatham-Kent police confirmed to Blackburn News that they are investigating an incident that was reported to officers Wednesday afternoon.

Unfortunately, in that case, the driver wasn't able to get the licence plate of the bus or the bus' company name, so police have very little information to help them identify the bus, bus route, or student involved.

If anyone does have information on the incidents outlined above, they are encouraged to contact police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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