Van blast victim named as missing Wirral man

Aug 3 2007

AN EXPLOSION which killed the driver of a van after he was pulled over by police may have been an elaborate suicide.

Five Merseyside officers were injured in the blast after they stopped the white van on Wednesday night.

The pursuit of the vehicle by officers was sparked by the “suspicious” behaviour of the driver, this morning named as Terry Langrell, a driving instructor from Boyd Close, Leasowe, Wirral.

Mr Langrell went missing from his home in Leasowe on March 12 this year and had not contacted his family since.

He was killed when gas canisters in the back of the van exploded.

Witnesses said Mr Langrell, who was engulfed in flames, jumped out of the van and was screaming.

He could be heard repeatedly saying: “She is dead, she is dead”.

A source close to the police investigation last night said the explosion may have been triggered as part of an elaborate suicide bid.

The source added the force are now looking for the body of a female, and said the driver may have been involved in another death.

There was no other body in the van. It is understood police are now searching various locations in Merseyside.

A post mortem to establish the cause of death has concluded that Mr Langrell died as a result of extensive burns he suffered.

The force confirmed last night that a traffic officer had become suspicious of a white Transit van being driven along Marmaduke Street, Toxteth, shortly after 9.50pm. He indicated to the driver of the vehicle to stop, but the driver carried on and a short pursuit followed.

Seven minutes later, the car came to a stop in St James’ Place, Toxteth. As officers walked towards the van to speak to the driver, the van exploded.

One officer took the brunt of the explosion, while four colleagues were also injured. Three are being treated in hospital for serious, but not thought to be life threatening, burns while the remaining two have since been released.

The driver of the van was treated at the scene by paramedics and taken to the Royal Liverpool Hospital but died from his injuries.

Police last night would not speculate on the driver’s actions that led him to be first noticed by the officer or what detonated the explosion.

Assistant Chief Constable of Merseyside Police Simon Byrne, said last night: “We are pursuing a number of enquiries and we will know more in the next 24 hours.

“We are still at an early stage and a number of issues are under investigation so it would be inappropriate to comment on speculation at this time.

“However, we can clearly say this was not, in any way, a terrorist attack.”

The police officers all suffered burns-related injuries and all those injured were treated by paramedics at the scene of the incident.

The paramedics had been travelling in one of the police vehicles as part of their training at the time.

A number of residents from the immediate area were evacuated as a precaution, but were able to return home later. Road closures remained in the area last night.

The incident has been referred by Merseyside to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Chairwoman of the Police Federation Kath Kane said: “This tragic incident illustrates the challenges facing police officers on a daily basis.

“A routine incident can escalate into something much more significant and even life threatening.

“The Federation is working closely with the force to offer the injured officers any support they need

“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the officers who were involved in the incident last night.”

Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen Mr Langrell since March 12, or who knows where he has been living to contact them.

Officers would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen the white Ford transit van, which Mr Langrell was driving on the night of the incident. The van has the registration R509 KWR.

Mr Langrell is described as white, 5ft 4in tall with a stocky build, and brown cropped hair. When he was last seen he was wearing black trousers, pale blue short sleeved shirt carrying a large red rucksack.

DCI Dave Kelly, said: "Mr Langrell has been living somewhere since 12 March this year and we would like to speak to anyone who may have seen him in that time. We would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen the white Ford transit van that he was driving on the night of the incident to come forward."

Anyone with information about Mr Langrell's whereabouts over the last four months, or who has seen the white Ford Transit van (registration R509 KWR) can contact detectives on 0800 230 0600, by texting the word Crime followed by your message to 61051, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.