This is the terrifying moment a piece of steel came flying towards a family’s car - smashing the windscreen and injuring the passengers.

The family were driving along the motorway in Bangkok, Thailand, last Thursday when the flat sheet of metal appeared to break free from the truck in front.

The rod hit the leg of the 23-year-old mother and scratched the head of her baby, who was sitting in the front seat in her lap.

The father who was driving managed to stop on the hard shoulder before calling the rescue service, who arrived at the scene and took the injured mother and son to hospital.

The driver, who did not want to be named, said that they lucky that the heavy piece of steel did not directly hit their son who was sleeping on his mother’s lap.

He said: ''It hit the gear stick first and then it hit my wife. If it came directly through the mirror, it would have smashed my baby’s head for sure.''

The piece of steel and the dashboard camera were sent to the police station. Police also began checking CCTV on the route to find the truck driver for interrogation.