Probe after pensioner killed by runaway police van in Pudsey Park

The elderly man was struck by the unattended vehicle while officers responded to a disturbance in Pudsey Park, Leeds.

The Vauxhall van is believed to have rolled forwards down a slope and collided with the pensioner, who has been named locally as Donald Bennett.

Mr Bennett was reported to have been sitting on a wall eating an ice cream after visiting the park in Church Lane, near his home, with his son to watch bowls. A section of the wall was knocked down in the impact.

Paramedics were called to the scene but the 83-year-old died of his injuries.

Mr Bennett’s grieving family left floral tributes at the scene yesterday.

One read: “Grandad we’ll miss you lots. Love you forever and always. Love you Charlotte and Dave xxx.”

Another tribute read: “To Dad, Much loved and sadly missed love John Ben x.”

It is understood that two officers were called to the park following reports of teenagers causing a disturbance in the area.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said the incident, which happened on Saturday afternoon, had been referred to the Independent Police Complaint’s Commission (IPPC).

An IPCC spokesman said: “West Yorkshire Police have told the IPCC that a man died after one of its vehicles collided with a man in Pudsey Park near Leeds.

“The force later referred the incident, which happened on Saturday, June 1, at about 2.15pm, to the IPCC and an IPCC investigator was sent to the scene.

“An independent IPCC investigation was launched shortly afterwards.”

Tributes were paid in the market town after news of the tragedy spread. One of Mr Bennett’s neighbours, who did not wish to be named, said the pensioner’s death had shocked everybody.

“Donald was such a lovely man, and would always go the extra mile for anyone despite his age,” the neighbour said.

“He loved going out on walks, he was always walking and always smiling.

“When the news filtered through, it deeply shocked everybody. We’re all saddened and stunned.”

The Yorkshire Post understands that Mr Bennett’s family gathered at his home nearby to console his widow, Marjorie.

A family member told reporters yesterday: “It is all very shocking and sad. He was a loving grandfather and had been a joiner before he retired.

“The matter is in the hands of the IPCC.”

Pudsey’s Labour MP Stuart Andrew said: “My thoughts are with the family of the person who has been killed.

“It sounds like a terrible tragic accident and it will naturally be a shock to the town.”

He added: “Pudsey Park is somewhere that people from all over the town go to enjoy and the town will want to show its respects in some way. For this to happen is really sad.”

Local councillor Josie Jarosz described the incident as a “terrible situation”. “I think the whole place is in shock,” she added.

“We don’t know what the full circumstances are about why the van rolled.

“I think it is really a terrible situation and the family must be absolutely devastated.”

She said she was not prepared to “start blaming anyone” for the incident. “No one knows what happened. My deepest sympathies go to the family of the man,” she added.

The police van remained at the scene of the incident throughout Saturday afternoon and evening while a police cordon was in place in the park.

Investigations were carried out by specially trained officers before the vehicle was removed.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “At 2:15pm on June 1 a police van responded to reports of a disturbance in Pudsey Park, Church Lane, in Pudsey.

“The officers attending went into the park and left their van to deal with the incident.

“The van subsequently rolled forward and collided with an elderly man walking in the park.

“Paramedics were called to the scene, but the man died of his injuries.”

He added: “The matter was immediately referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.”