A DRIVER who drenched families on the school run when he drove through a puddle will be prosecuted for careless driving.

Children and their parents were walking in Wimpole Road, Colchester when they were soaked by a large wave.

PC Mark Hercules was in his patrol car behind the car and saw the drama unfold.

He said: “The vehicle was driven through the puddle at a relatively fast speed making no attempt to slow down or avoid it.

“As a consequence, a large wave of water absolutely soaked the children and their parents.

“We could hear the screams from the children as they got drenched in the cold dirty rain water.

“The motorist drove off. Fortunately, I was able to witness the whole incident.“ Debbie Pugh, her son David, eight, and daughter, Emma, 11, were walking to St George’s Junior School.

Mrs Pugh said: “We got soaked. My son was crying his eyes out. I was yelling obscenities at the driver.

“I calmed myself down and the next car we saw was a copper car.”

Mrs Pugh, of Wimpole Road, said went to the policeman and he took some details.

She said: “He said the puddle could have had a stone in it that could have hit us.

“I can laugh about it now because I have got a sense of humour but it wasn’t funny when I was trying to get my children to school and keep them warm and dry.”

PC Hercules, who is based with the Stanway response and patrol unit, stopped the motorist and told him he was reporting him for careless driving.

He said: “His actions caused distress to the young children.

“In addition, I pointed out the hidden hazards that lie in large puddles and the fact he could have lost control of his vehicle and caused a danger to other road users.“ A man, 22, from Colchester, has been reported for careless driving. He could receive a court summons or be invited to take part in driver improvement training.