Retired builder, 76, reveals how car smashed into his house as he watched Match of the Day during Coventry ‘rampage’ – as tributes are paid to ‘kind and gentle’ cyclist father-of-two, 47, who died along with pedestrian
- Two people were killed when they were hit by a car in Coventry yesterday
A retired builder told today how a car smashed into his home following a rampage which killed two people – as one was named as a father-of-two.
Police announced this morning that a man arrested on suspicion of murder had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
One of those killed was cyclist and hospital support worker Joel Carriedo, who was cycling home from University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire after working a night shift.
Mr Carriedo, 47, originally from the Philippines, was described this afternoon as ‘A great person, very kind and gentle’.
A friend added: ‘This is a tragedy. He was cycling home after a night shift and had only just returned to work after being on holiday with his family.
‘He was so well-liked, a brilliant father and colleague. We’ll miss him.’
Meanwhile the man whose house the driver smashed into broke his silence.
Barry Dean, 76, was watching Match of the Day on TV yesterday morning when he heard a huge crash.
He opened his front door and found the wreckage of a black Mercedes on his front drive surrounded by bricks and rubble.
The car had left a large crack in the front of his house in Coventry.
The driver had fled by the time Mr Dean came out and a man was later arrested by the police near to some local flats.
A 44-year-old pedestrian and Mr Carriedo died after being struck by the same car minutes earlier.
Mr Dean said today: ‘It shook me out of my seat.
‘I was sitting watching Match of the Day and all of sudden there was a huge crash and the house shook.
‘I immediately got up and went to fetch the front door keys. I opened up and found the smoking wreck of a black Mercedes.
‘The car partially destroyed my fuse box so I’ve now had the electricity and gas cut off. There’s a lot of damage to the front of the house, where the hallway and cloakroom is. I built this house myself, it’s gutting.
‘Luckily my wife was out at the time, she’d gone out not long before to a car boot sale.
‘By the time I’d opened the door and seen what had happened, the driver had managed to climb out the wreckage and had run off.
‘A man who was walking nearby who’d watch it happen called the police and they came about five minutes late. There must have been about ten cars, police dogs, a drone and even the helicopter was up.’
West Midlands Police said that a man arrested on suspicion of murder has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
A spokesman said: ‘We detained a 33-year-old man in Beckbury Road following a series of collisions in the city around 8am yesterday morning (3 September).
‘A 44-year-old pedestrian who was struck on Gosford Street and a cyclist, aged 47, who was hit on Woodway Lane sadly died of their injuries.
‘Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives, and we’ll be doing all we can to support them during this deeply distressing time.
‘Another pedestrian who was struck on Gosford Street has been treated for injuries which are not life threatening.
‘We’re not looking for anyone else in connection with what happened, and from the information we have this is not being treated as terror-related.
‘Our enquiries are continuing and anyone who can assist is asked to contact us.’
