Tributes to Leeds delivery driver killed during van theft

A supply driver who was killed as he tried to cease a thief stealing his van has been described as a “beloved colleague and confidant”.

Claudiu-Carol Kondor, named by the corporate he labored for, was the sufferer of a suspected “vanjacking” in Wortley, Leeds, on Tuesday night.

He died after the suspect drove the Ford Transit away with the courier “partly inside” the passenger door, in accordance with West Yorkshire Police.

Colleagues at SP Transport Group, which employed Mr Kondor, have arrange a fundraiser for his household which has raised over £9,000.

Police have been known as to Heights Drive at about 18:50 BST on Tuesday, to reviews of a critically injured man within the street.

Mr Kondor was thought to have been delivering Amazon parcels within the space, for a third-party contractor, when his van was focused by a thief.

After a wrestle, he was left mendacity within the street when the car collided with two parked vehicles.

He was given emergency therapy by ambulance employees however was pronounced lifeless on the scene a short while later.

A homicide investigation has been launched that the power mentioned was at an “early stage”.

Mike Neill, operations supervisor of SP Transport Group, wrote the “unimaginable loss” had left everybody “devastated”.

“Claudiu was a devoted and cherished member of the SP Transport Group household who tragically misplaced his life on 20 August 2024 throughout a wrestle that occurred within the midst of a van theft,” he mentioned.

“Claudiu was greater than only a colleague – he was a good friend, a confidant and a valued member of our group.

“His dedication to his work and the camaraderie he dropped at the office won’t ever be forgotten.”

Mr Neill added that Mr Kondor’s demise prolonged “far past the office” and would have an effect on all who knew him.