A MAN escaped serious injury when he jumped out of the way of a corrosive substance which was thrown at him outside a train station.

The man in his 40s had just got off a rail replacement bus and was walking along Station Road, Wickford, when a car moved close to him.

The passenger in the car wound the window down and attempted throw the substance over the man, but he quickly spotted what was happening and moved out of the way.

The substance, believed to be something like ammonia, was sprayed onto his shoes and jacket.

The victim’s wife shared the incident in a Facebook post seen by the Echo to warn others to be vigilant.

She said: “Thankfully my husband saw what was happening and managed to move out of the way.

“Just a few spots of ammonia on his shoes and jacket.

“Please be careful if walking home late in the evening. This has been reported to police and they said they haven’t had any other reports.

“Let’s hope it was a one off.”

Police are investigating the attack which took place outside Wickford Railway Station on Saturday at about midnight.

An Essex Police: “We are investigating an assault in Wickford on Sunday, January 7, where a man was sprayed with an unknown substance.

“Shortly after 12.00am, a white Ford Fiesta approached a man in his 40s, whilst he was walking along Station Road.

“As the vehicle passed the man, the passenger sitting in the nearside back seat of the car, sprayed an unknown substance at the man.

“The victim was able to quickly move out of the way, meaning the substance didn’t make contact with him.

“The white Ford Fiesta drove off in the direction of Wickford town centre.

“The victim did not require any medical attention.”

A voluntary Government plan, which was launched last week, means that under-18s will not be able to buy products containing harmful levels of acid or corrosive substances at a number of retailers.

Wickes, B&Q and Tesco are among those who have signed up to the proposals which are aimed at curbing the number of acid attacks.

The voluntary ban – which will apply to products bought in store and online – comes ahead of proposed legislation preventing minors from purchasing products which contain potentially harmful levels of acid.

Witnesses to this latest attack should contact police on 101.