Man, 25, dies from injuries after car crashed into pedestrians on Christmas Day
A man has died from the injuries he sustained after a car crashed into a crowd in central London on Christmas Day, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
The 25-year-old was rushed to hospital as one of four members of the public who sustained injuries in the early hours of Christmas morning.
The man, Aidan Chapman, died in hospital on New Year's Eve.
Aidan’s parents paid tribute to their son, saying: “‘The loss of our beautiful son is a parent’s worst nightmare, we are utterly devastated with the loss of Aidan, he enriched everyone’s lives.
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"‘He was a loving, kind, funny soul and the world is a darker place without him.
"We, his parents, have lost the best part of ourselves".
The injuries were sustained in a Christmas Day incident where a man drove on the wrong side of the road on Shaftesbury Avenue in London.
Anthony Gilheaney, 30, has been charged with four counts of attempted murder, as well as causing serious injury by driving while disqualified. He was also charged with possessing a knife in a public place.
The Met have confirmed that his charges will be reviewed following the death. Gilheaney appeared at Wesminster Magistrate’s Court on Friday, and will remain in custody until his next court date on January 24.
Mr Chapman’s next of kin have been informed, and police have confirmed that his death is being investigated as a homicide.
A Detective Chief Inspector of the Met's Specialist Crime Command, Wayne Jolley, said: “Our thoughts are with the victim’s friends and family at this difficult time.
“My team are continuing to conduct inquiries to establish all the facts surrounding the circumstances, however it has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related.
“We would appeal to anyone who holds any CCTV or dash cam or mobile phone footage of the incident to come forward as well as anyone else who might have had contact with the suspect that evening.”
Speaking following the incident, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Stuart Cundy said: "Officers responded quickly to this report, working closely with City of London Police to arrest a man within minutes.
"Detectives are quickly progressing inquiries as part of this investigation.
“It’s believed that the suspect was involved in an altercation at a nightclub prior to getting in his car and mounting the pavement.
"Several scenes remain in place at the location today.
"This has been confirmed as an isolated incident which is not terror-related."
Michael Slavin