A family driving back to Britain from their holiday in France were almost killed when migrants launched a seven-foot scaffolding pole into the front of their car as they travelled through Calais at 30mph.

Marius Mihaescu was travelling with his wife Cristina and their four-year-old daughter Sara when their car was targeted as they approached UK Border Patrol on the French side of the Channel.

The heavy iron pole was thrown over a fence directly into their path, smashing through a light and jamming itself in the body of the car.

Marius Mihaescu was travelling with his wife Cristina and their four-year-old daughter Sara when a heavy iron pole was thrown over a fence into the front of their car (pictured)

It was tossed from under the cover of darkness, as the family of three approached the ferry entrance at Calais shortly before 11pm.

Miraculously, all escaped uninjured, with Marius managing to stay in control of the Peugeot.

However, the construction worker is adamant that had he been a fraction of a second quicker, the huge metal beam would have smashed through the windscreen of his car, killing any number of them.

He reported the incident to French border officials who told him they were surprised as it was 'usually stones' hurtled at cars.

Marius said: 'We were approaching Border Control in complete darkness, driving at about 30mph, when all of a sudden the huge pole came flying over the fence, smashing into the front of the car.

'It made a massive bang and got jammed in beside the bonnet.

'I could see it sticking out but was too scared to stop so just kept driving, terrified what would happen next if we stopped.

It was tossed from under the cover of darkness, as the family of three approached the ferry entrance at Calais shortly before 11pm

Construction worker Marius is adamant that had he been a fraction of a second quicker, the huge metal beam would have smashed through the windscreen of his car, killing any number of them

'I couldn't believe what had happened. It was horrifying.'

The 43-year-old, who was returning home from holidaying in the south of France, kept driving until he reached the first line of border officials he could find.

They were French, and he explained what had happened.

To his shock, he claims they then told him they were surprised by the incident, as in previous attacks on passing cars the hidden perpetrators would usually only use stones.

'If they know that this kind of thing happens all the time, why is it allowed to continue,' questioned Marius.

To his shock, he claims they then told him they were surprised by the incident, as in previous attacks on passing cars the hidden perpetrators would usually use stones

The heavy iron pole was thrown over a fence directly into the path of their moving vehicle, smashing through a light and jamming itself in the body of the car

'There are no lights or security at all in the area where we were attacked - at night it is complete darkness - which is awful, as it is so close to the border where everyone is stopping.

'If I was a metre ahead then my wife would have been killed as it would have smashed through the windscreen directly into where she was sitting.

'It is known by police and security bosses that these attacks happen often but nothing seems to have been done to stop them. It's unbelievable.

'We were so nearly killed. It's a matter of time before someone does die.'

The French border town of Calais has been overrun by migrants in recent months, all of whom are desperate to make it to Britain.

The French border town of Calais has been overrun by migrants in recent months, all of whom are desperate to make it to Britain

Families and individuals, largely from Africa, have been caught hidden on board lorries, cars and trains in their bids to make it to British shores

They are living in illegal makeshift camps, the central of which is known as 'The Jungle', as they plan their way across the Channel into the UK.

Families and individuals, largely from Africa, have been caught hidden on board lorries, cars and trains in their bids to make it to British shores.

Fights have even broken out between truck drivers and the growing migrant community, hundreds of whom can be seen walking the streets close to Border Control on a daily basis.

Marius, who lives in London, said: 'The security around the whole area needs to be better.

They are living in illegal makeshift camps, the central of which is known as 'The Jungle', as they plan their way across the Channel into the UK

'We followed a police car into Calais to make a statement about what happened. Even in that ten minute journey you could see loads of migrants, just walking around in groups of five, six, even ten.

'They were everywhere - on all lanes of the road. The police just drive by. It is chaos, but they are just used to it, which I couldn't believe.

'British people have to be warned about how unsafe this. Driving in the dark you could easily be killed. If you have to, my advice would be to drive during the day, even if then.

'The French side has simply lost control and the migrants there are desperate.