Murder investigation launched after death of van courier in Leeds

West Yorkshire Police said it had launched a murder investigation following the death of the driver on Tuesday evening (20 August).

Officers were called to reports of a man seriously injured in the incident involving his van in Heights Drive, Wortley at 6.51pm.

The victim was unconscious with members of the public trying to help him. He was given emergency treatment by ambulance staff but was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

The police said their initial enquiries suggested that the victim, in his 40s, had delivered a package to an address about half a mile away and had returned to his van to find a male attempting to steal it.

When he tried to stop him, he drove off at speed with the victim only partly in the passenger door of the vehicle.

The van, a plain silver Ford Transit Cargo, was then in collision with two parked cars in Heights Drive and was driven away leaving the victim injured in the street.

The vehicle was recovered in Highlands Walk, Belle Isle, a short time later.

Amazon told Motor Transport that although the driver was not one of its employees, he was working for a company it had contracted to make deliveries to customers’ homes.

An Amazon spokesman 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.”

Detective chief inspector James Entwistle 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 enquiries to establish the full circumstances and to identify the person whose incredibly dangerous actions have been responsible for causing his death.”

He added: “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, which is about six miles away.

“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.

“People will be understandably appalled by this man’s death in these circumstances, and I want to reassure them that we are absolutely determined to find the person responsible.”