Shock moment driver hurtles away in stolen Amazon van after ‘dragging delivery man for half-mile’ before he died in road
THIS IS the shocking moment an Amazon delivery driver died trying to stop a man allegedly stealing his van.
Tragic Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, allegedly found the man behind the wheel of his transit as he returned from delivering a parcel.
He frantically opened the passenger door and allegedly clung on for half a mile as the van sped off shortly before 7pm on Tuesday.
Haunting CCTV footage shows the horrifying moment the van slammed into parked cars in an apparent bid to shake him off.
Claudiu, who was engaged to his long-term partner, was instantly flung from the vehicle.
It then careers off into the distance with the passenger door still open as debris from the impact of the collision falls into the road.
Last night, police arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of Claudiu’s murder.
He is currently being questioned in custody.
Cops have today named a second suspect wanted over the alleged murder.
A manhunt has been launched for Eddie Hampshire, 24, from Belle Isle, Leeds.
The CCTV shows the van vanish at high speeds before a car travelling in the opposite direction stops to help the dying delivery driver.
The hero passer-by jumps out of his car and immediately begins to tend to Claudiu.
He stands up with his hand on his head and rings 999 to alert the emergency services as others join him.
They crouch down beside Claudiu, of Sheffield, South Yorks., as police arrive on the scene within minutes.
Further footage shows paramedics in a frantic battle to revive Claudiu with CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His vehicle, a silver Ford Transit Cargo, was found abandoned six miles away.
The damaged van was also taken away on a low loader with a series of dents clearly visible down the passenger side.
A police spokesman said: “The arrested man remains in custody and detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team are continuing to progress the investigation.”
A GoFundMe page set up by Claudiu’s work colleagues has since raised over £10,000.
It read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the loss of our beloved colleague.
“Claudiu was a dedicated and cherished member of the SP Transport Group family, who tragically lost his life during a struggle that occurred in the midst of a van theft.
“This unimaginable loss has left us all devastated.
“Claudiu was more than just a colleague – he was a friend, a confidant, and a valued member of our team.
“His commitment to his work and the camaraderie he brought to the workplace will never be forgotten.
“The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond our workplace, affecting all who had the privilege of knowing Claudiu.”
Police said Claudiu had delivered a package to an address at 6:45pm and was returning to the van when he spotted the thief at the wheel.
The spokesman said: “When he tried to stop them, they drove off at speed with the victim only partly in the passenger door of the vehicle.
“The van was then in collision with two parked cars and was driven away leaving the victim injured in the street.”
The victim’s family has been informed and a post-mortem is expected to take place in the next 24 hours.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle described it as a “truly shocking incident”.
He said: “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.
“We have spoken to a number of witnesses but are still very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of this incident.”
He said his team was piecing together the van’s movements before and after the thief struck.
He added: “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.”
Drivers are paid approximately £150-a-day to deliver up to 350 parcels and in the majority of cases rent their vans from the company they work for.
Amazon said the driver was working for a third party courier delivering its parcels.
A spokesperson 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.”