“Stop taking risks on the railway” is the message from Northern after one of its drivers was injured by a brick thrown at one of its trains.

On Friday, 4th February, at around 10 pm, a brick was thrown at a Northern Trains’ service travelling towards Clifton in Greater Manchester, smashing the windscreen and causing shards of glass to hit the driver in the face. The driver was taken to hospital but is now recovering at home.

Clifton was formerly called Clifton Junction and is between Salford and Bolton on the Manchester to Preston line.

Chris Jackson, regional director at Northern, said: “It’s hard to believe that anyone would put the safety of others at risk by such reckless behaviour.

“The consequences of a brick hitting a fast-moving train are potentially devastating. This was a shocking incident that could have had fatal consequences.

“Officers are investigating, and I am appealing to anyone with information about either incident to come forward. Someone will know who did this and we need to find them before they do something similar which may have far worse consequences.”

Northern is offering a £1000 reward to anyone who provides information which leads to a conviction following the incident.

A British Transport Police (BTP) investigation is already underway, and the train operator has now stepped in to help appeal for further information.

Anyone with information can contact BTP by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40. Alternatively, people can call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.