Man crushed to death while trying to prevent 'carjack' theft attempt

A man was crushed to death beneath the wheels of his car yesterday as he tried to prevent it being driven away.

Michael Howard, 57, from Hesketh Bank, Lancashire, had parked his metallic silver Volvo V70 estate at a drop-off point in front of Liverpool John Lennon airport, where he was due to catch a holiday flight to Malaga, at 5.30am.

He started unloading cases from the boot, while his wife went to fetch a trolley. Mr Howard then saw someone jump into the driver's seat of the vehicle.

As his wife watched, heran to the front to try to halt the car but was knocked down. The car then stalled and the driver made off leaving Mr Howard trapped beneath the wheels of the Volvo.

He was unconscious by the time fire crews arrived to free him. They used airbags to raise the car but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police said they were confident that CCTV footage and witnesses would help them identify whoever was responsible. A camera was positioned near the airport's car park exit.

Mr Howard was a father-of-three who worked for the Salford-based pharmaceutical company Mawdsley-Brooks.

Chief Superintendent Greg Wood, who is leading the investigation into Mr Howard's death, said: "The CCTV system set up around the airport is excellent and we are currently examining these images.

"This is the first time anything like this has ever happened."

Mrs Howard said: "This was a happy time that we were really looking forward to.

"Michael was a much-loved husband and father and we are devastated by what has happened. We would like to be left to grieve in peace, but we want to help the police.

"Someone must know who has done this and we would ask that they please come forward and speak to police."

¿ Police said last night that they had arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with Mr Howard's death.