A SAINSBURY’S shopper died in his brother’s arms after being hit by a Land Rover in a row over a parking space yesterday.
Deaf Christopher Gadd, 48, was allegedly run over outside the supermarket in front of horrified children and their parents after a bust-up outside the shop in Pontllanfraith, south Wales.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested by Gwent Police on suspicion of murder.
Farmer Christopher and his brother Paul were on a routine shopping trip when the argument over the parking space started.
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?’
“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.”
Police say the victim was walking outside the store when he was hit by the Land Rover Freelander.
Officers confirmed it is being treated as murder and a man has been arrested for questioning.
Paramedics and an air ambulance were called to the scene where Christopher was pronounced dead.
He didn’t stand a chance against a Land Rover. It is just terrible and all for the sake of a parking space.
Paul Gadd, Christopher's brother
Witnesses praised Sainsbury’s staff and members of the public who rushed to help.
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 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 humour. He was salt of the earth and he was loyal.
“I hope whoever did this to him rots in hell.”
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.
A neighbour, who lives just yards from the scene, said: “I heard the driver and victim had been arguing inside Sainsbury’s before it happened.
He went out to get fish and chips for tea and he never came back.
David Gadd, Christopher's brother
“It’s awful. There were lots of people about at the time. There were a lot of children who saw it.
Another witness said: “It was horrible. There was so much blood.”
Sainsbury’s said trained staff from the store performed CPR before the Air Ambulance arrived.
The arrested man, believed to be aged 27 and from nearby Caerphilly, was held for questioning. The Land Rover was taken away from 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.”
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 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.
“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.
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“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 enquiries 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.”
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