A brick was hurled through the windscreen of a coach sending slivers of glass into the driver's eyes and smashing his shoulder.

The driver, 48, braked and managed to bring his empty vehicle to a safe stop but police said the "mindless" attack could have killed.

The driver, en route to pick up passengers, pulled his coach to the side of the road.

He was taken to the New East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, with a fractured shoulder.

Surgeons last night operated to remove glass from his eyes.

The attackers were lying in wait and ambushed the driver's British Car Parks coach in Charlwood Road in Lowfield Heath, Gatwick, just after midnight yesterday.

Detective Inspector Bill Warner, of Gatwick CID, said: "The driver did extremely well to keep his vehicle under control.

"This was an extremely dangerous attack which could have killed.

"I recall a case in Hampshire not so long ago when vandals threw a brick through a windscreen and killed the driver.

"We are treating this incident very seriously and we will bring the full weight of the law down on those responsible.

"We have some potentially useful leads as to who carried out the attack but we still need assistance from the public."

Detective Sergeant Mick Jones said: "This was a very nasty incident that has left the driver with serious injuries.

"Another coach driver has reported he saw two men walking along Charlwood Road towards Lowfield Heath prior to the incident.

"I would urge these men to contact me as they may be able to provide information that will assist the inquiry.

"Both men are white, slim and aged about 20.

"We would also like to hear from anyone else who saw these two men."

Stephen Moss, managing director of British Car Parks, said: "This clearly was very distressing and our thoughts are with the driver, his wife and family at this time.

"It was a terrible thing to happen and I can't believe anyone would even consider such an act.

"The driver was working for us for just the day. He was brought in through an agency to work and he did a fantastic job bringing the vehicle to a safe stop.

"It must have been an awful experience for him."

Anyone with information should call Gatwick CID on 0845 6070999 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.