Holidaymaker killed at airport

A man died today after being knocked down as he tried to stop a car thief escaping with his vehicle.

The 57-year-old man was run over at Liverpool's John Lennon Airport while he was unloading his car. It is believed the victim from Preston was going on holiday with his wife.

Police said she had got out of their silver Volvo estate to get a trolley and her husband was unloading cases from the boot when a man approached the car and got into the driver's seat.

The victim then went to the front of the car and tried to stop the man driving off, but the thief moved the car forward and the victim was knocked down and trapped under the car.

The thief then got out of the car and into what is believed to be a waiting maroon-coloured Ford Escort, driven by another man, and they both escaped.

Merseyside Fire Service was called to the scene to release the victim, but he died at the scene at around 5.35 this morning.

Superintendent John Myles said: "I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this despicable and cowardly crime to come forward. The victim and his wife were looking forward to going on holiday when tragedy struck. These people need to be caught."

An area outside the Arrivals/Departures building was cordoned off this morning and crime scene investigators were examining it. Robin Tudor, corporate affairs manager at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said there had been a similar incident at the airport just before Christmas.

He added: "In December a car was taken under very similar circumstances but thankfully no one was injured during that incident.

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

Mr Tudor said the pick-up and drop-off point outside the departure terminal had been closed off while police carried out their investigations.

He added: "This is a very tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family of the man who has died."