Delivery driver killed during attempted theft of his van
A delivery driver has been killed trying to stop a thief from stealing his van in Yorkshire.
A murder investigation has been launched after officers were called to reports that a man had been found seriously injured in Heights Drive, Wortley, Leeds at around 6.50pm on Tuesday.
The man was given emergency treatment by ambulance staff, but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Police said the victim, in his 40s, had delivered a package to an address about half a mile away at around 6.45pm and had returned to his van to find a man attempting to steal it.
When he tried to stop the man, he drove off at speed with the victim only partly inside the passenger door.
The van, a silver Ford Transit Cargo, then crashed into two parked cars and was driven away, leaving the victim injured in the street. The vehicle was found a short time later, according to police, and the victim’s family have been informed.
Det Chief Insp James Entwistle, the senior investigating officer at West Yorkshire Police, said: “Our investigation remains at an early stage but, based on what we currently know, this appears to be a truly shocking incident where the victim has been killed while going about his business as a parcel delivery driver.
“His family has been informed, and they are completely devastated about what has happened. We are working to support them at what is a really difficult time and are doing everything we can to get them the answers they need.
“We are carrying out extensive inquiries to establish the full circumstances and to identify the person whose incredibly dangerous actions have been responsible for causing his death.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses but are still very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident. That appeal covers the circumstances of the van being stolen in Alliance Street at about 6.45pm, the journey it took along Heights Drive to where the victim was found, its movements as it fled the scene there, and its movements before being found abandoned in Highlands Walk in Belle Isle, about six miles away.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who has seen the suspect in the van at any point after it was stolen or when it was abandoned, and we ask that people who were in the vicinity of any part of this incident check their dashcam, doorbell and home CCTV footage to see if they have caught anything that could assist the investigation.”
It is understood the driver had been delivering packages for Amazon while working for a service partnered with the company.
A spokesman for Amazon said: “This is a terrible incident and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the delivery driver’s loved ones, family and colleagues at our delivery service provider. We will do all that we can to assist police with their investigations.”