Driver who died in van blast ‘tried to kill officers’

Aug 17 2007 by Larry Neild, Liverpool Daily Post

Langrell

A VAN driver who died when his vehicle was ripped apart in a massive explosion deliberately tried to lure Merseyside police officers to their deaths, it was revealed last night.

Five officers were badly injured when gas cylinders exploded inside the van driven by Terry Langrell, 42.

Merseyside’s Chief Constable, Bernard Hogan-Howe, last night revealed that the investigation into the explosion is now being treated as the attempted murder of five police officers.

Police believe Mr Langrell intended to harm the officers who had pursued him across the city on August 1.

More details emerged at a meeting of Merseyside Police Authority yesterday.

Mr Hogan-Howe did not indicate any possible motive.

Last night, just one of the five officers remained in hospital, three are recovering at home and a fifth is back at work.

Mr Hogan-Howe made an appeal for a mystery woman to come forward.

Police say Mr Langrell bought a white Ford Transit van, R509 KWR, on March 9 in Bootle and was in the company of a woman.

She was with him again on March 12, when he went to collect the van, and she was driving a blue or grey Peugeot 206 on both occasions.

The woman is described as about 5ft tall, of medium build, aged between 35 and 40 with short dark hair.

Police are also studying CCTV films which capture events from Edge Hill where the van was first spotted to the moment in Park Road, Dingle when it exploded into flames.

Just before 10pm the vehicle indicated it was stopping in St James Place, Toxteth. Several officers approached the van and when the door opened there was an explosion. The officer closest to the vehicle took the full force of the explosion and suffered extensive burns. The driver came out of the vehicle engulfed in flames.

Mr Hogan-Howe praised local people for their help.

Mr Langrell, 42, who had worked as a driving instructor had lived in Boyd Close, Leasowe, Wirral. Police later confirmed Mr Langrell went missing from his home on March 12 and had not been in contact with his family since.

larryneild@dailypost.co.uk