Delivery driver Mark Lang dies after being dragged 800 yards under his own van as he fought off ‘thief’
A DELIVERY driver has died after being dragged for 800 yards under his own van when he tried to stop it from being stolen by an alleged thief.
Mark Lang, 54, died after fighting for his life in hospital for two weeks with multiple injuries.
Christopher Elgifari, 31, has already appeared in court accused of his attempted murder on a busy road in Cardiff.
Mark's partner said he was "a good man, with a lot of love to give" in a touching tribute after he died at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
It read: “It's difficult to put into words quite how any of us are feeling.
"I don't think we can ever get over something so brutal and ultimately pointless.
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“Our thanks go out to all the emergency services who did their best to bring him back to us, the people on the scene who rallied around him and called for help, and all the staff at the Heath who made sure his final days were comfortable and who worked tirelessly to help him and the family.
"Throughout all of this it has been comforting to see so much love and support from so many people who knew Mark. Friends, colleagues, old teammates as well as customers and their dogs.
“We've been inundated with nice words and if we noticed it we spoke to him about it. Assume he was aware of your kind words and very happy to hear them.
"Mark was a good man, with a lot of love to give. He passed in the early hours of the morning surrounded by family. Peacefully. Comfortably. Loved. He will be sorely missed. X”
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Mark, from Cyncoed in Cardiff, was seriously injured on March 28.
Prosecutor Nicholas Evans told magistrates that police were called to the scene in the Cathays area at about 12.50pm.
He said Mark had got out of a white Renault van to make a delivery but saw it being stolen.
Mr Evans said Mark attempted to stop the van but was hit at speed.
He was trapped underneath the vehicle and dragged around 800 yards before it came to a stop.
Emergency services rushed Mark to hospital where he was treated for a brain injury and "multiple lacerations across the body."
He was in a critical condition for two weeks after, but sadly did not recover.
Elgifari, who used crutches in the dock, appeared in Newport magistrates charge with attempted murder.
He spoke only to confirm his address, name and date of birth.
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Elgifari was remanded in custody and will appear in Cardiff Crown Court at a later date.
A review on the charge will be made by the Crown Prosecution Service after Mark's death.