Police in West Yorkshire have launched a murder investigation after a tragic incident involving a delivery driver who was killed while attempting to stop his van from being stolen. The victim, who was in his forties, had delivered a package to an address and upon returning to his van, he found a man trying to steal it. In a brave effort to prevent the theft, the driver confronted the thief, who then drove off at high speed with the victim caught partly in the passenger door.
The van, a plain silver Ford Transit Cargo, was involved in a collision with two parked cars on Heights Drive before the thief fled the scene, leaving the victim fatally injured. Despite receiving emergency treatment, the driver succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The police later recovered the van.
The victims family has been notified, although his identity has not been disclosed. Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle described the incident as “truly shocking,” highlighting that the victim had been killed in the line of duty as a parcel delivery driver. The police are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the individual responsible for the tragic outcome.
Authorities are appealing to witnesses who may have seen any part of the events unfold, including the theft of the van in Alliance Street, the subsequent journey along Heights Drive, and the van’s movements leading up to its discovery abandoned in Highlands Walk, Belle Isle. Police are particularly interested in obtaining any dashcam, doorbell, or home CCTV footage that could aid in the investigation.
DCI Entwistle emphasised the community’s shock and pledged the police’s commitment to finding the perpetrator behind this senseless crime. The publics cooperation in providing any information or evidence related to the incident is crucial to delivering justice for the victim and his grieving family.