Villa fan who died after Second City derby is named

Apr 21 2008

The mother of a football fan who died after he was hit by a car outside Villa Park after the Second City derby on Sunday said her "wonderful son" didn't deserve to die.

Aston Villa supporter Christopher Priest, 26, from Sutton Coldfield suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by a Volkswagen Golf in Aston Hall Road after Aston Villa's 5-1 defeat of Birmingham City - but police have dismissed speculation that it was fuelled by team rivalry.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the inquiry, police said.

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is continuing to help with inquiries.

"Two further men have also been arrested in the early hours of today by Kent Police in connection with the inquiry and transported to the West Midlands for questioning.

"A 21-year-old man from Birmingham has been arrested on suspicion of murder and a 29-year-old man from Solihull has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender."

Mr Priest's mother Barbara Priest said: "He was a wonderful son and didn't deserve this. He will be sadly missed by me, his dad Lee, sister Natalie and all his family."

Police said earlier: "The motive for the incident is unclear at this stage and we are continuing to investigate."

A number of witnesses dialled 999 following the collision, on Aston Hall Road at about 3pm.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, nothing could be done to save Mr Priest, who died shortly after arriving at City Hospital in Birmingham.

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said yesterday: "On arrival at the scene, crews found a man that had been in collision with a car.

"The man was treated at the scene for multiple serious injuries and transferred to City Hospital. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of ambulance crews and then hospital staff, nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead shortly after arrival at hospital."

Anyone with information is asked to call CID at Queens Road police station on 0845 113 5000.