A Manitoba man is in hospital in serious but stable condition after a chunk of ice flew off a passing vehicle, crashing through his windshield and knocking him out while he was behind the wheel.

RCMP Manitoba says members from the Stonewall detachment responded to a call just before 1:30 p.m. Monday on Highway 6 just north of the Perimeter Highway. When officers arrived on scene, EMS was providing care to a male with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

The RCMP says in a release that the investigation determined a van was southbound on Highway 6, approximately four kilometres north of the Perimeter Highway when a dump truck passed it. When the truck was approximately two car lengths in front of the van, a chunk of ice flew off the back of the truck and then came through the windshield of the van striking the 68-year-old male driver in the face, rendering him unconscious.

A 61-year-old woman who was in the front passenger seet was able to take control of the steering wheel until the vehicle came to a stop, thereby avoiding a collision.

The male was transported to hospital in Winnipeg, where he remains. Both occupants of the van are from East St. Paul.

"The female passenger is very thankful for the help provided to her by other motorists who stopped to assist as well as the first responders who attended to herself and the driver," the RCMP says.

"The RCMP would like to remind everyone to ensure their vehicle is clear of snow, ice, and any other debris before heading out on the road. At highway speeds, debris on a vehicle can become a deadly force," the RCMP says.