A manhunt is underway after a 79-year-old man died when he was stabbed in a road rage incident following a minor crash.
Police launched a murder investigation after the pensioner “bumped” into the rear of the suspect’s car – which appeared to be a CLASSIC motor – before they began to row.
The suspect – with shoulder length brown wavy hair – rowed with the OAP after the “minor” collision before he stabbed him MULTIPLE times next to the dual carriageway.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a pale “old-style” car that made a getaway on the A24 in Findon, near Worthing, West Sussex, on Thursday evening.
A Sussex Police source said: “We believe the car behind bumped into the one in front and gave it a minor, rear-end shunt.
“Both chaps got out and the driver of the front car attacked the bloke in the second. He was stabbed more than once.”
The pensioner died at the scene, opposite a garden centre at Rogers Farm just before 8.40pm.
The suspect was described as a white man aged between 30 and 40. It’s believed he is 6ft tall and skinny with a thin face.
Detective Chief Inspector Karen Mizzi of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “Officers have been urgently making enquiries overnight to trace the suspect.
“We need to hear from witnesses who saw the collision, the suspect or the car involved, particularly if anyone filmed the incident or saw anyone filming it.
“Specially trained officers are supporting the victim’s family at this extremely difficult time.”
A cyclist and a runner were seen in tears at the scene of the death while the A24 remained closed to traffic this (Fri) morning.
Pub locals rushed to try to the grandfather’s rescue after he was stabbed but sadly they were unable to save him.
Paramedics also attempted to save the pensioner but pronounced him dead at the scene.
The attack took place just yards from the popular Black Horse pub, on the busy A24, in Findon, West Sussex.
Shaken locals attempted to help the granddad, who was travelling alone, but he died before they could get to him.
Local Kiera Osborne, 22, who used to work in the pub, said: “All the locals rang me to tell me about it.
“An old man had been stabbed and they were all running to help him.
“He was stabbed repeatedly but he was dead by the time they got to him, they said.
“They were really shaken up.”
Rachel Peacock, 40, who lives nearby and was drinking in the pub at the time, added: “I didn’t know about it until the helicopters arrived.
“A few lads came in the pub after. They had walked past it and they were really shaken up.
“He had horrific stab wounds. It was horrific apparently. A friend said he tried to help.
“It’s an amazing area. He might not be from the area.
“He might have just been driving through along the main road.”
A friend of the pensioner’s grandson confirmed their relationship but said they were too upset to talk.
Sussex Police confirmed the pensioner was driving alone when he was attacked.
Locals also speculated over the motive was the damage caused to the suspect’s car – which may have been a classic motor.
Sandra Webb, who works with the West Sussex Jaguar Enthusiasts Club and lives in nearby Arundel, said: “All the classic car owners I know are very protective of their cars and they keep them covered up and clean.
“But I don’t think that would be to do with the murder.”
Around 200 metres of the A24 has been cordoned off in both directions while ten police cars mark the site of the murder.
Since its closure, the village’s skinny high street has been chaotic as trucks and large vehicles try to take a short cut.
A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We were called to the scene just before 8.40pm to reports of a man having been stabbed.
“Ambulance crews and the air ambulance were sent to the scene where attempts were made to save the man but sadly he was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Social media was awash with comments from residents of the affluent village nearby where the man was murdered.
Another, Oliver Hanson, tweeted: “Shocked to discover my nearest village is this morning trending for a brutal murder.
“It is horrific.”
Tom Grimster said: “I hope this scum gets caught.
“Takes a coward to use a knife and a lowlife to even hit an elderly person no matter stab them over a little crash.”
