Mark Lang: Delivery driver dies after being dragged 800 yards under his own van as he tried to stop thief
CARDIFF, WALES: A delivery driver, who was dragged for 800 yards under his own allegedly stolen van, has died in the hospital. Mark Lang, 54, of Cyncoed, Cardiff, suffered a serious brain injury when he got hit by his white van after trying to stop it from being stolen by a thief. He was then rushed to the hospital where he spent more than two weeks following the incident on Laytonia Avenue, Cardiff on March 28. Christopher Elgifari, 31, who is accused of attempted murder, appeared in court on March 31.
Prosecutor Nicholas Evans told the court that the cops were called to the scene in Cathays at about 12.50 pm on Tuesday, March 28. He added that Lang had gotten out of a white Renault van to make a delivery at Laytonia Avenue but saw it being stolen. He then attempted to intercept the theft but was hit at speed and left trapped underneath the vehicle, Evans said, as per the DailyMail. The prosecutor further detailed how Lang was dragged around 800 yards by the van before it stopped on the main North Road leading into the center of the Welsh capital. Lang was then rushed to the University Hospital of Wales in Heath where he received treatment for a brain injury and "multiple lacerations across the body."
READ MORE
THE POLITE CRIMINAL: Video shows thief in 'MID-HEIST' holding door open for man in wheelchair
Daylight theft: Masked robbers steal $35k worth of merchandise from Apple store on Black Friday
Christopher Elgifari pleads not guilty
Elgifari, of Aberdare, South Wales, appeared in Newport magistrates and spoke only to confirm his address, name, and date of birth. He has pleaded not guilty, said his solicitor Tom Trobe. Elgifari was then sent back to custody and is scheduled to appear in Cardiff Crown Court at a later date. The Crown Prosecution Service will review his attempted murder charge after Lang's death.
'A good man, with a lot of love to give'
His partner penned an emotional tribute after his death at the University Hospital of Wales in Heath, Cardiff. The tribute called the delivery driver "a good man, with a lot of love to give," while adding, "It's difficult to put into words quite how any of us are feeling. I don't think we can ever get over something so brutal and ultimately pointless." The statement added, "Our thanks go out to all the emergency services who did their best to bring him back to us, the people on the scene who rallied around him and called for help, and all the staff at the Heath who made sure his final days were comfortable and who worked tirelessly to help him and the family."
"Throughout all of this, it has been comforting to see so much love and support from so many people who knew Mark. Friends, colleagues, old teammates as well as customers and their dogs. We've been inundated with nice words and if we noticed it we spoke to him about it. Assume he was aware of your kind words and very happy to hear them. Mark was a good man, with a lot of love to give. He passed in the early hours of the morning surrounded by family. Peacefully. Comfortably. Loved. He will be sorely missed. X," the statement concluded.