Tonight:
5°c
Mob chants 'murderer' as jail van runs over woman
Danny Brierley, Evening Standard23 Apr 2008
A woman has died after being run over by a prison van and dragged 20 yards along the road following a confrontation in the street.
The victim is said to have blocked the path of the Serco security van and goaded the driver seconds before the incident in Brixton.
He was arrested and questioned by police on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.
Witnesses told how the woman "danced" in the road and stopped the vehicle at the Brixton Hill crossing at 5.45pm yesterday, shouting at the driver and slapping at the bonnet.
Some claimed that, as the lights turned green, the van shot forward and hit her. An angry mob surrounded the van, banging on its sides, shouting "murderer, murderer", forcing the driver to lock himself in the cab.
Medical staff treated the woman in the road but could not save her.
One witness, student Dennis Gyamfi, 18, said: "She'd stepped into the road and was gesturing at the van and other people. I don't know if the driver knew if he'd struck her but there were people trying to stop him because she was being dragged down the road. She ended up underneath its back wheels."
Samuel Joseph, a 30-year-old media worker from Clapham, added: "There were about 100 people, all looking under the van and taking photos. They weren't trying to help, just gawping. It was sick. Then it started to turn nasty. They were pointing their camera phones into the driver's face and shouting, 'You're a murderer! You've killed her!' They were chanting 'murderer' and gesturing at him.
"He was just sat there with his head in his hands and looked in an absolute state. He wouldn't get out of the van."
A shop worker, who would not be named, said the woman was often seen in the area: "The woman was always dancing in the road.
"She was one of a group of people always drinking in the gardens across from the library. She used to dance outside the shops and in front of cars."
After being questioned the driver was released but was told to return to the police station later today. Detectives are examining the van and CCTV images of the road.
A second Serco van had to be brought to ferry the 11 prisoners back to Brixton jail.
A Serco spokesman said: "Our heartfelt sympathies are with the family of this woman. We are cooperating fully with the police investigation."
Reader views (4)
Those drivers have enough to concentrate on , let alone people dancing in the street, I feel for the lady's family but most concerned for the driver. Those people who took photos and video of the scene should be disgusted with themselves.
- A Concerned Person, Essex, 28/04/2008 20:38
Report abuse
This woman played with fire...and got burnt. Let it be a lesson. If you're a resident, you'd recognise her. Whether the driver drove dangerously or not, no one wanted to go near her once she was under the wheels despite collecting video footage on phones. Hypocritical.
- Lr, Brixton, 24/04/2008 14:19
Report abuse
A terrible incident and a great shock for all concerned. My I extend sympathy to the lady's family and all who are affected in any way by this tragedy. I do hope the police investigation will be fairly and impartially conducted and that the driver will receive such help as he needs.
- George Coombs, Hove England, 23/04/2008 20:31
Report abuse
What a shameful response by the animals taking advantage of the accident by getting out their camera phones for some gorey photos and then turning into a vicious mob. Some people have no morals or values whatsoever.
- Adrian, London, 23/04/2008 20:15
Report abuse
