A supermarket shopper was allegedly murdered after being hit by a Land Rover in a supermarket car park following a row over a space.
Christopher Gadd died just a day after his 48th birthday after allegedly being struck by the vehicle in a Sainsbury’s car park in front of horrified children and their parents.
Farmer Christopher and his brother Paul were on a routine shopping trip to the store in Pontllanfraith on Monday when there was an alleged row over a space in the store car park.
Paul said: “I was backing into the parking space when this other guy in the Land Rover was coming past. He stuck his fingers up at me.
“My brother got out of the car to ask: ‘What’s your problem?’”
He said his brother was then struck by a Land Rover and added: “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.”
Police have said a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a collision between a blue Land Rover Freelander and a pedestrian.
Paramedics and an air ambulance were called to the scene where Christopher was pronounced dead.
Witnesses praised Sainsbury’s staff and members of the public who rushed to comfort the victim
Bachelor Christopher and his other brother David lived together on the family farm two miles from the store. Christopher wore two hearing aids after being born profoundly deaf.
Paul, 49, said: “He didn’t stand a chance against a Land Rover. It is just terrible.
“I’ve spent my whole life with him. He had a great sense of humour. He was salt of the earth and he was loyal.”
Their fellow brother David, 35, 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.”
Sainsbury’s said trained staff from the store performed CPR before the Air Ambulance arrived.
The arrested man, aged 21 from Caerphilly, was held for questioning. A Land Rover was taken away from examination by police specialists.
A Sainsbury’s spokesman said on Tuesday: “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.”
Officers are appealing for other shoppers and motorists who may have footage of the tragedy to come forward.
A spokeswoman for Gwent Police said: “At approximately 4pm on Monday, March 4, Gwent Police were called to a report of a road traffic collision on Newbridge Road near Sainsbury’s supermarket, Pontllanfraith.
“The collision involved a pedestrian and a blue Land Rover Freelander.
“The pedestrian was sadly pronounced dead at the scene and a police investigation has been launched.
“The victim can now be named as 48 year old Christopher Gadd from the Caerphilly area. His family are being supported by specialist officers.
“A 21-year-old man from the Caerphilly area was been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody at this time.
“Officers are still appealing for anyone who may have any information or dash-cam footage to please call 101 quoting log 314 of March 4 or alternatively contact us by direct message on Facebook or Twitter.”
