This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-34812784

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Delivery driver, 70, dies on birthday after Ashton-under-Lyne robbery Delivery driver, 70, dies on birthday after Ashton-under-Lyne robbery
(35 minutes later)
A delivery driver has died on his 70th birthday after a suspected car-jacking during a drop-off at a laundry. A delivery driver has died on his 70th birthday following a suspected car-jacking during a drop-off at a laundry.
James Ray suffered serious head injuries after either being pushed or falling while unloading washing powder from his van.James Ray suffered serious head injuries after either being pushed or falling while unloading washing powder from his van.
The robbery happened at Plantation Industrial Estate in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, on Thursday, police said. The robbery happened at Plantation Industrial Estate in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, on Thursday.
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of Mr Ray's murder. Two men, aged 23 and 44, have been arrested on suspicion of murder while a third man is being sought.
The pair, aged 23 and 44, remain in custody for questioning.
'Abhorrent act''Abhorrent act'
Police have not ruled out that the injury was the result of Mr Ray being attacked and a third man is being sought. Police said it was possible the attack may have been "a robbery gone wrong".
The grandfather, from Easingwold near York, died in hospital on Friday. Grandfather-of-four Mr Ray, from Easingwold near York, died in hospital on Friday.
Mr Ray suffered an injury to the back of his head and died at about 05:30 GMT following the robbery at about 11:30 a day earlier. He suffered an injury to the back of his head and died at about 05:30 GMT following the robbery at about 12:00 the previous day.
The white transit van was later found abandoned. There was nothing of value in the vehicle at the time, police said. The white transit van was later found abandoned in Clarence Street, Stalybridge. There was nothing of value in the vehicle at the time, police said.
The grandfather-of-four was due to celebrate his birthday with wife Vivian, son Adrian, daughter Catherine and other relatives. Another car involved in the robbery was found in the Heywood area earlier.
Mr Ray was due to celebrate his birthday with wife Vivian, son Adrian, daughter Catherine and other relatives.
In a statement his family said: "We are completely and utterly devastated by the death of James who was killed on the very day of his birthday.In a statement his family said: "We are completely and utterly devastated by the death of James who was killed on the very day of his birthday.
"He has left behind his wife, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren who are stunned by this abhorrent act of violence.""He has left behind his wife, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren who are stunned by this abhorrent act of violence."
Det Supt Jonathan Chadwick said: "They are devastated, that's the only word you can use, instead of celebrating his birthday they are going to have to start to plan his funeral." Det Supt Jonathan Chadwick said: "They are devastated, that's the only word you can use, instead of celebrating his birthday they are going to have to start to plan his funeral.
"It is possible that this may be a robbery that has gone wrong however that doesn't change the fact that a man has been killed and I would urge anybody with information to please contact the police as soon as possible."