A DRIVER and passengers on board a busy Greenock bus narrowly avoided serious injury after mindless yobs launched bricks at it.
The McGill’s vehicle was targeted on Inverkip Road just outside Branchton railway station at around 8.30pm on Thursday night.
Missiles were thrown at the bus whilst it was in motion, causing one window to shatter and putting a large dent in another.
Bosses from the Larkfield-based operator say it is a miracle nobody was seriously hurt during the attack – and that had it not been for a special protective layer having been installed on the windows to prevent them from caving in then the consequences could have been a lot worse.
The damage to the bespoke bus is likely to cost the company around £2,000 and it will be out of service for weeks.
Ralph Roberts, McGill’s managing director, said: “The attack on our 578 service at Branchton was a mindless act of thuggery and had it not been for the professionalism of our driver, could have resulted in serious injury or much worse.
“McGill’s will co-operate fully with Police Scotland in an effort to catch those responsible for this attack. 
“The vehicle attacked is less than six months old and one of only seven in the UK, which makes sourcing the replacement parts difficult. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to customers as a result of the reckless and dangerous actions of these thugs.”
Police are now investigating the incident, which is being treated as culpable and reckless conduct.
The Tele also understands emergency services, McGill’s staff and community wardens at the scene were verbally abused and ‘intimidated’ by youths. This is the latest in a long line of attacks on the company’s buses.
Officials believe there have now been as many as 50 incidents in the last year alone in Inverclyde and almost 200 in total across the rest of its network. 
Anyone with information about the attack should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.