POLICE hunting for a bat-wielding man who smashed up a woman’s car and left her fearing for her life in a road rage attack have thanked members of the public for their help.

A woman in her 50s was driving in the fog along a dark and isolated moors road when she stopped at a temporary red light at around 7.10am on Thursday, January 11.

The motorist behind her crashed into the back of her car and pulled up alongside her before launching a terrifying attack that left her picking glass out of her skin.

Wielding a “thin rubber bat with a distinctive white tip” he approached her window and started smashing her windscreen and other parts of the car while screaming and swearing.

To escape, she grabbed the weapon and used it to propel him away from her vehicle before speeding through the red light and fleeing for her life.

She was left shaken and terrified as a result of the attack, which happened on the A171 close to Scaling Dam.

Worried that the man may go on to harm others, she has appealed for anyone with information to contact Cleveland Police, whose officers are investigating the shocking incident.

She said: "I thought I was going to get seriously hurt, that he was going to go for my face and I knew I had to get away.

“I am left thinking that I was lucky to have managed to escape and I’m worried now that he is still out there and could do this to someone else."

On Thursday, PC Wendy Rowe said that inquiries were continuing and the investigation was progressing well, adding: “We have had a number of people come forward with information and have a number of lines of inquiry that we are following.

“This was a terrifying attack and I would like to thank the public for the information we have received so far.

“We are still wading through it all and it is proving beneficial - we are grateful and would like to offer thanks for a strong public response."

The attacker is described as white, slim and tall and believed to be in his late forties. He was clean shaven and wearing rectangular glasses and an orange safety jacket at the time of the crash.

  • Anyone with information should contact PC Rowe on non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.