Man dies on 70th birthday after being victim of 'robbery gone wrong'
Family left devastated as 69 year-old is killed in Ashton-under-lyne
A grandfather who died today in a suspected car-jacking gone wrong was due to celebrate his 70th birthday with a family party tonight, police said.
Instead, the widow of James Ray will have to begin arrangements for his funeral after he was fatally injured while working as a delivery driver yesterday morning.
Mr Ray, from York, a father of two and grandfather of four, was unloading washing powder from his delivery van at a laundry when he was injured at about 11.30am at the Plantation Industrial Estate in Ashton-under-Lyne.
He suffered a massive injury to the back of his head when he fell or was pushed from the van as it was stolen, but police have not ruled out that the injury was the result of being attacked.
Mr Ray was taken to Salford Royal Hospital where he died at 5.30am. A 23-year-old man and a 44-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody for questioning. James’ family said: “We are completely and utterly devastated by the death of James who was killed on the very day of his birthday. He has left behind his wife, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren who are stunned by this abhorrent act of violence. “We all hope that people will come forward to report anything they may know that may help the police.” Detective Superintendent Jon Chadwick said: “We have made two arrests but the investigation is continuing and we are still seeking information. We believe there is at least one other person outstanding and I would appeal to anyone who may have witnessed the van and Fiesta being driven erratically to contact police. I would also appeal to anyone who knows who owns the Fiesta or who has been using it in recent days and weeks to call us. “The registration of the Fiesta is SD02 HYL and has damage to the front driver’s side wing. James’ van was a grey Ford Transit with registration YB11 HXV and as it was driven off, the sliding door on the passenger side was damaged and was hanging off. “James’ family are understandably devastated and we have got specially trained officers providing them with the support they need during this tragic time. “Today would have been James’ 70th birthday and his family were planning on holding a party for him. Now, instead celebrating a happy occasion, they are mourning the loss of a much loved person and planning his funeral. “It is possible that this may be a robbery that has gone wrong however that doesn’t change the fact that a man has been killed and I would urge anybody with information to please contact the police as soon as possible.”