A CREW of rowers was lucky to escape without injuries after their boat was hit by a concrete block which was thrown from a bridge.

Their boat was nearly broken in half by the object, which is thought to have been thrown from a bridge on the River Wear in Durham City.

The women's crew from Durham Amateur Rowing Club was passing underneath Baths Bridge at around 8.15pm on Tuesday, March 14, when the boat was struck by the object.

Club chairman Barry Hudson said: "The bridge was closed for work so they shouldn't have been anyone on it but it appears the workmen has left some materials overnight. Whatever it was is at the bottom of the river now.

"We think it was some local youths but no one has been caught yet."

He added: "They could have been hurt very seriously. The boat was nearly broken in half."

Durham Police confirmed it had had a report of a concrete block being thrown from the bridge.

Dave Coxon, neighbourhood inspector for Durham City, said: “This was an act of stupidity which could have had very serious consequences.

“It is fortunate that none of the rowers suffered injuries. We are actively investigating this incident and will be examining all the available CCTV from the location.”

About £3,000 of damage was done to the boat, which has had to be returned to the maker in London for specialist repairs.