Deaf man crushed to death by angry Land Rover driver following argument over parking space at supermarket

A deaf shopper who allegedly got into a row over a parking space at a supermarket was mowed down by a Land Rover after the situation escalated.

Christopher Gadd, 48, was killed in the Sainsbury's parking lot in plain view of horrified children and their parents, Daily Mail reports.

Gadd and his brother Paul got into an argument over a parking space with a man in a Land Rover during a routine shopping trip. According to Paul, the driver "stuck his fingers up" at the siblings, prompting his brother to exit their vehicle. Just seconds later, the driver reportedly "swerved" into Gadd and violently knocked him over.

"I was backing into the parking space when this other guy in the Land Rover was coming past," Paul said. "He stuck his fingers up at me. My brother got out of the car to ask 'What's your problem?' But the other driver just swerved across and straight into him. My brother didn't have a chance — his head was in a terrible state. I love my brother and I stayed with him until his very last breath. People tried to help but there was nothing anyone could do to save him. He's gone and I miss him so much."

The victim was allegedly walking outside the store in Pontllanfraith, near Caerphilly, South Wales, when he was fatally struck by the Land Rover Freelander. The incident is currently being treated as a murder and officials are questioning the 27-year-old driver of the vehicle.

While paramedics and air ambulance were summoned to rescue Christopher, he was pronounced dead despite their best efforts. Both Christopher and Paul lived together on a family farm two miles from the shore. Christopher, who was born profoundly deaf, wore two hearing aids to make everyday life easier.

"He didn't stand a chance against a Land Rover," Paul, 49, said. "It is just terrible and all for the sake of a parking space. I've never seen the other driver before but the police came to arrest him. I can't believe what has happened. I've spent my whole life with him. He had a great sense of humor. He was salt of the earth and he was loyal. I hope whoever did this to him rots in hell."

David, 35, their fellow brother, said, "We are very close as brothers. We nursed our mother who died of cancer last year. It was Chris's birthday just the day before this happened. He was a good man and he didn't deserve to die this way. He went out to get fish and chips for tea and he never came back."

The accused, who hailed from nearby Caerphilly, was held for questioning while his vehicle was impounded for examination by police specialists. A Sainsbury's spokesperson said, "We can confirm an incident took place in our Pontllanfraith store car park yesterday and we're supporting the police with their investigation. Our thoughts are with the man's friends and family at this difficult time."

Now, shoppers and motorists who were at the scene are being urged by police to come forward with their accounts of the tragedy.

"At approximately 4.00pm on Monday 4th March 2019, Gwent Police were called to a report of a road traffic collision on Newbridge Road near Sainsbury's Supermarket, Pontllanfraith," a spokeswoman for Gwent Police said. "The collision involved a pedestrian and a blue Land Rover Freelander. The pedestrian, a man from the local area, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and a police investigation has been launched."

He continued, "A man from the Caerphilly area has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in police custody at this time. Newbridge Road will remain closed while inquiries continue. Officers are appealing for anyone who may have any information, or dash-cam footage, to please call 101 quoting log 314 of 04/03/19 or alternatively contact us by direct message on Facebook or Twitter."