Mother-of-two killed trying to stop car theft

Lynda Hankey, of Wigan, Greater Manchester, suffered fatal head injuries after she was flung off the bonnet of her yellow MG when the raider drove straight at her and sped off.

The 42-year-old delivery driver had started running the engine of her vehicle and had briefly returned to her house for her girlfriend, Jamie Hudson, and Ms Hudson's five-year-old son.

The pair watched in horror as Ms Hankey was hit as she stepped into the road in a bid to prevent the theft.

She was taken to Wigan Royal Infirmary following the incident in Prestt Grove, Worsley Mesnes, at about 4.20pm on Thursday but later died.

A 22-year-old man from the Wigan area was arrested on suspicion of murder within a few hours of the car being recovered in nearby Leigh at about 10am yesterday. Police said other offenders may also be involved.

Colleagues of DHL employee Ms Hankey said she would be "greatly missed".

A DHL spokeswoman said: "We are shocked and saddened by Lynda Hankey's tragic death.

"She was an admirable individual and a dedicated employee who will be greatly missed by her colleagues.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Lynda's family and friends at this difficult time."

Greater Manchester Police deployed a team of more than 30 detectives, who hope crucial forensic evidence will be uncovered from the abandoned MG.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: "Our thoughts are very much with Lynda's family at this horrific time following this sad death.

"A 22-year-old local male has been arrested on suspicion of murder but we still believe that there may be others involved in Lynda's death and we urge them to give themselves up. The individuals involved are extremely callous, with very little regard for life.

"She (Lynda) lives with her partner Jamie and her five-year-old son who both witnessed this terrible incident. They are absolutely devastated.

"My understanding is that Lynda left the car momentarily with the engine running and went to collect Jamie and Jamie's son.

"She came back out and stopped in the road in an attempt to prevent the vehicle driving away. The offender drove straight at her and knocked her into the air, leaving her severely injured."

The incident comes just weeks after carjacker Kevin Richardson was jailed for mowing down a mother-of-four in her own vehicle, leaving her wheelchair-bound.

Caroline Johnson had been scraping ice from her car windscreen in December 2008 when the drug addict jumped behind the wheel. He drove off, dragging her up to 65ft down the road in Langley, Berkshire.

Richardson, 34, formerly of Slough, Berkshire, was convicted at Reading Crown Court of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and jailed indefinitely for public protection. He had already admitted aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.

ACC Hopkins added: "I would urge members of the public not to leave cars running unattended as the consequences, as we have seen, can be fatal."

A post-mortem examination on Ms Hankey, who herself has two sons, will take place later.

One of her sons, Nathan, posted a tribute to her on her Facebook social networking page.

He wrote: "Rest in peace Mother, you were my world and you always will be, Im glad I was with you when you were gone and that the last words that we said to each other was 'I love you' Im happy that you didnt suffer, alas, there is now a hole in my life that can never be filled.

"She did nothing but love everyone and did not deserve to die like this. Watch over me mother, I will need it x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x."