A driver narrowly avoided a serious injury after a ladder fell from a passing van and smashed through the windscreen of his car.

George McBride was driving around a bend on Yalding Hill on his way to work when the ladder slid off the roof of a van coming towards him.

This incident took place at about 7.30am on Friday after he turned out of Shingle Barn Lane. The set of steps smashed through his windscreen, with the force snapping the steering wheel of his Mercedes C-Class.

Dashcam footage shows how the incident prompted the 26-year-old to mount the grass verge before coming to a stop.

Mr McBride, from Paddock Wood, said: “I didn’t see it coming because it was on a bend.

“The A-pillar (which holds the windscreen) of my vehicle and the steering wheel took most of the impact from the ladder.

“The steering wheel snapped in half. Luckily, it didn’t hit me in the face.”

As the incident occurred on a bend, Mr McBride did not see the ladder coming and initially had no idea what had smashed into his car.

“Shock sets in when you are in a situation like that. Thankfully, a person driving the other way had a dashcam and stopped and checked on me,” he added.

Two other motorists stopped to help Mr McBride, but the van driver did not pull over. Video footage shows the vehicle driving away, but a vehicle registration number is not visible.

Now, Mr McBride is appealing for people who were driving down Yalding Hill between 7.30am and 7.45am who may have captured the van on dashcam footage to come forward.

He recalls a white Mercedes G-Class coming down the hill and believes the driver may have information.

Although Mr McBride did not suffer serious injuries, he has scratches on his arm and face from the shattered glass.

His car now needs a new roof, a new A-pillar, steering wheel, windscreen, dashboard, inner roof lining and there may be damage on the passenger’s side from mounting the verge. He suspects the car will be written off.

He said: “When the windscreen smashed, my hand was pressing the horn, so I find it hard to believe the driver didn’t know what happened.

“It’s a pretty big ladder. I don’t know how you wouldn’t hear that coming off the roof of your vehicle.

“Thankfully, I’ve just got cuts all up my hand and arm.

“There’s quite a small gap between my roof and my steering wheel. Had it been a different vehicle the gap would have been a lot bigger, and it would have come straight through the windscreen and hit me in the face.”

The police said: “Inquiries are underway to identify the van and its driver. Anyone with information that may assist the investigation should call 01622 604100, quoting 4-0202.”