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Motorcyclist murdered on motorway | Motorcyclist murdered on motorway |
(5 days later) | |
A motorcyclist has been shot dead while riding along the M40 in Warwickshire. | A motorcyclist has been shot dead while riding along the M40 in Warwickshire. |
The man died between junctions 13 and 12 on the southbound carriageway near Leamington Spa on Sunday afternoon. | The man died between junctions 13 and 12 on the southbound carriageway near Leamington Spa on Sunday afternoon. |
The murder victim, aged in his 30s, is thought to have attended a motorcycle rally nearby and biker gangs are a "strong line of inquiry" police said. | The murder victim, aged in his 30s, is thought to have attended a motorcycle rally nearby and biker gangs are a "strong line of inquiry" police said. |
Detectives want to trace the occupants of a green Rover car seen close by when the man was shot. The M40 is expected to remain closed into the late morning. | Detectives want to trace the occupants of a green Rover car seen close by when the man was shot. The M40 is expected to remain closed into the late morning. |
"Road rage is not a line of inquiry. We are treating this as murder," said a police spokesperson. | "Road rage is not a line of inquiry. We are treating this as murder," said a police spokesperson. |
It was very noticeable that the man was very still and was not wearing any shoes Paul Roberts, eyewitness | It was very noticeable that the man was very still and was not wearing any shoes Paul Roberts, eyewitness |
It is thought the victim had attended the Bulldog Bash, billed as Europe's top biker party, held at Long Marston airfield near Stratford. | It is thought the victim had attended the Bulldog Bash, billed as Europe's top biker party, held at Long Marston airfield near Stratford. |
Det Supt Ken Lawrence, of Warwickshire Police, told the BBC that 20 to 30 police officers were at the scene and potential witnesses were still being interviewed. | Det Supt Ken Lawrence, of Warwickshire Police, told the BBC that 20 to 30 police officers were at the scene and potential witnesses were still being interviewed. |
He said they wanted to speak to people travelling in a Rover 620 saloon who may have been linked to shooting, which took place at about 1420 BST. | He said they wanted to speak to people travelling in a Rover 620 saloon who may have been linked to shooting, which took place at about 1420 BST. |
"One or two witness accounts have mentioned this car being close to the motorcycles at the time that something clearly happened. | "One or two witness accounts have mentioned this car being close to the motorcycles at the time that something clearly happened. |
"It is for that reason that I want to trace that car and speak to the occupants and see if they saw anything or know anything." | "It is for that reason that I want to trace that car and speak to the occupants and see if they saw anything or know anything." |
He said there was large crime scene spreading along the motorway's carriageway and it would take officers a good time to carry out the searches. | He said there was large crime scene spreading along the motorway's carriageway and it would take officers a good time to carry out the searches. |
The incident caused 10-mile tailbacks in both directions with about 400 cars caught within the crime scene. They were all allowed off the motorway by Sunday night. | The incident caused 10-mile tailbacks in both directions with about 400 cars caught within the crime scene. They were all allowed off the motorway by Sunday night. |
The M40 remains closed between junctions 10 and 14 northbound and between junctions 14 and 12 southbound. | The M40 remains closed between junctions 10 and 14 northbound and between junctions 14 and 12 southbound. |
Det Supt Lawrence said the southbound carriageway would probably remain closed until late on Monday morning and possibly until lunch time. | Det Supt Lawrence said the southbound carriageway would probably remain closed until late on Monday morning and possibly until lunch time. |
Paul Roberts, from Worthing, was driving along the M40 when the incident happened. | Paul Roberts, from Worthing, was driving along the M40 when the incident happened. |
He said: "Suddenly we had to stop... soon other motorists were out of their cars and on the carriageway. | He said: "Suddenly we had to stop... soon other motorists were out of their cars and on the carriageway. |
"One lady in a BMW took a first aid kit to the man who was lying on his front just next to the central reservation. | "One lady in a BMW took a first aid kit to the man who was lying on his front just next to the central reservation. |
"It was very noticeable that the man was very still and was not wearing any shoes." | "It was very noticeable that the man was very still and was not wearing any shoes." |
Police are appealing for any motorists travelling on the M40 who may have witnessed the incident to contact them. | Police are appealing for any motorists travelling on the M40 who may have witnessed the incident to contact them. |
An incident room has been set up at Warwickshire Police headquarters. | An incident room has been set up at Warwickshire Police headquarters. |