These attacks are indiscriminate. It's only pure luck that no-one has been killed so far

Detective Chief Inspector John Briggs

In the latest incident a piece of metal smashed through the side cab window of a lorry.

Dave Taylor, 34, was driving along the A52, near Kirk Langley about midnight on Thursday when the attack took place.

He was showered with glass and suffered cuts and bruises.

"There was a loud explosion as the glass broke and I basically didn't know what had happened.

The metal went through the side cab window

"I pulled over as quick as I could and then it's when I realised that I'd been struck in the face."

Nick Horobin, a paramedic, suffered serious head injuries when his ambulance overturned in the crash at Shirley Hollow, Derbyshire, on Sunday morning.

A male crew member and a friend of the patient were slightly injured.

Mr Horobin underwent eight hours of emergency surgery after the accident.

Detective Chief Inspector John Briggs said: "It is now four days since Mr Horobin almost lost his life during a horrific crash.

"There is every possibility that the person or persons responsible for this attack live locally.

Road patrols

"I would ask anyone who knows who they are to contact us immediately before someone gets killed.

"These attacks are indiscriminate. It's only pure luck that none has been killed so far."

Derbyshire Police have set up an incident room in Belper with 20 officers.

Police records of damage to cars along the A52, A515 and A517 into Ashbourne are now being re-examined.

High-profile patrols have been introduced along the three roads and spot checks are being carried out.