English police question man over stabbing of motorist (79)

Donald Lock died after alleged road rage incident over minor crash in West Sussex

Police officers search the scene close to where pensioner Donald Lock was stabbed to death by another motorist in Findon, West Sussex, following a crash. Photograph: Hannah McKay/PA Wire.
Police officers search the scene close to where pensioner Donald Lock was stabbed to death by another motorist in Findon, West Sussex, following a crash. Photograph: Hannah McKay/PA Wire.

A man is being questioned by detectives in England over the alleged road rage murder of a great-grandfather who was killed following a minor crash on a village road.

Donald Lock (79) was stabbed repeatedly after he got out of his car following the shunt on the A24 at Findon, near Worthing in West Sussex.

Mr Lock, who has been married for 55 years, died at the scene at around 8.40pm on Thursday.

His family said he had recently been given the all-clear from cancer and was due to become a great grandfather for the sixth time.

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A man (34), from Worthing, is being questioned on suspicion of murder after he was arrested by armed police some 18 hours later.

A Sussex Police spokesman said detectives were “not looking for anyone else at this time” in connection with Mr Lock’s death.

Before he died, Mr Lock attended a social gathering of Worthing Excelsior Cycling Club, its secretary Adrian Palmer said.

Mr Lock was believed to have been on his way home when he crashed into the back of another car and got out of his vehicle. He was then stabbed multiple times.

Relatives said: “He was hugely loved by his family and friends and could often be called upon for his cycling or travel advice. Words cannot describe how much he will be missed.”

Flowers were placed and tributes were paid to Mr Lock as cordons remained in place on the bypass where the death happened.

John Lucas, who had known Mr Lock for more than 50 years, said: "It's such a terrible thing. He was an unbelievable guy. He would do anything for anyone.

“I can’t understand how it happened. He wouldn’t have got out of the car and caused any trouble at all. He wasn’t that type of guy.”

Detective Superintendent Adam Hibbert, of the Sussex and Surrey major crime team, said: "A man is in custody on suspicion of murder.

“I continue to appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision on the A24 at 8.40pm last night, or who may have CCTV or dashboard cameras of the area at that time, to come to assist our investigation.”

PA