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Farmer's wife dies in diesel raid Farmer's wife dies in diesel raid
(about 2 hours later)
A farmer's wife has died and her son is badly injured after a raider tried to steal fuel at a County Durham farm. A farmer's wife has died and her son was badly injured after a raider tried to steal fuel at a County Durham farm.
Police said William and Rosemary Dove spotted a man taking diesel from a pump at East House farm in Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, on Sunday night. Police said William and Rosemary Dove saw a man taking red diesel from a pump at East House Farm in Bishop Middleham, near Sedgefield, on Sunday night.
Mrs Dove, 68, collapsed and died shortly after making a 999 call to alert police to the raid. Mr Dove and son James gave chase to a nearby field, where the younger man was hit by the getaway vehicle.
Her son, James, suffered a broken hip and head injuries after being clipped by the thief's getaway vehicle. Mrs Dove, 68, who had returned to the farmhouse to dial 999, was later found collapsed, and subsequently died.
He was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, where his injuries are described as non-life threatening. James Dove was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, where his injuries are described as non-life threatening.
Durham Police said William Dove, his son and other relatives chased the intruder's silver Mitsubishi pick-up style truck in their vehicles - eventually cornering it in a field. Mr and Mrs Dove had spotted the thief at about 2030 BST after returning from an agricultural show in Scotland.
James Dove, aged in his mid-40s, got out of his vehicle to approach but was knocked into a ditch as the pick-up broke out of the cordon. Rosemary Dove ran to dial 999, while the two men jumped into another vehicle and gave chase.
They were joined by relatives from a nearby farm, who also drove after the raider, and the group cornered the silver Mitsubishi pick-up style truck in a field.
James Dove, aged in his mid-40s, got out of his vehicle to approach but was knocked into a ditch as the pick-up broke through the cordon.
Ch Insp Paul Harker said the truck, which "crashed out of the field", had not been traced by police.Ch Insp Paul Harker said the truck, which "crashed out of the field", had not been traced by police.
He said: "At this stage it is not clear exactly how many people were in the pick-up.He said: "At this stage it is not clear exactly how many people were in the pick-up.
"We urgently need any help that will lead us to those involved in this tragic series of events that has left the Dove family absolutely devastated.""We urgently need any help that will lead us to those involved in this tragic series of events that has left the Dove family absolutely devastated."
The couple had returned to their home from an agricultural show in Scotland. Mrs Dove is believed to have been alone when she collapsed, and was pronounced dead after paramedics were called to the scene.
Mrs Dove complained of feeling unwell after calls to police and relatives. The raider is described as white, aged between 20 and 30, of muscular build with short dark-brown hair. He was wearing a checked shirt.
She was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics. Police also want to trace the pick-up truck, which had a distinctive amber lighting bar on the roof.
The thief is described as white, aged between 20 and 30, of muscular build with short dark-brown hair. He was wearing a checked shirt.