Four Arrested After Crash Victim Found To Have Been Stabbed

Four people have been arrested in connection with the death of a man initially thought to have died when his van crashed but was actually found to have been stabbed.

A murder inquiry was launched by North Yorkshire police after officers investigating the crash in Easingwold, near York, made the discovery.

A police spokesman said the 36-year-old, from Luton, was initially believed to have died as the result of the crash when his van hit two bollards in Long Street, Easingwold, in the early hours of Sunday.

But police investigations revealed that the man, who has not been named, died as a result of stab wounds.

The spokesman said a 26-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of murder early on Monday followed by three other local people – a 20-year-old woman and two men aged 21 and 25 –who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Detective Chief Inspector Heather Pearson said: "I would like to speak to anyone who has any information that can help the investigation to come forward as soon as possible. If you saw or heard anything suspicious in the early hours of Sunday morning you may have information which is vital to our inquiries. I can assure people who may be hesitant about coming forward that any information received will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

(H)