Man dead and another seriously injured after BMW ‘driven at them’ in Surrey

Police name Matthew Tester, 49, as victim as 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder

A man has died and another was airlifted to hospital after a car was reportedly driven at them in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Jonathan Brady/PA)

A man has died and another was airlifted to hospital after a car was driven at them in Surrey.

An altercation is understood to have taken place between a group of men near a Marks and Spencer store in Walton-on-Thames on Thursday.

Police said one of the men then got into his white 1 series BMW and is reported to have driven at two of the other men in the group, killing one and seriously injuring the other.

Surrey Police named 49-year-old Matthew Tester, known locally as Tik, as the victim. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A second man, also in his 40s, is being treated in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, the force said.

A 26-year-old man, who police said was the owner of the vehicle, has been arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector David Springett, who is leading the investigation, said: “We are working hard to build up a picture of events yesterday afternoon and I would like to thank all those who have come forward so far to help us do this.

“If you witnessed this incident or have any information relating to it and have not yet spoken to police, I would urge you to do so.

“A local man has sadly lost his life and our thoughts are very much with his family who are being supported by specialist officers at this difficult time.”

Floral tributes left at the scene near Church Street, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, where a man died and another was airlifted to hospital after a car was reportedly driven at them (Jonathan Brady/PA)

A cordon was in place behind the nearby Marks and Spencer store, which remained open, while the car park was closed on Thursday.

Police said the incident did not take place in the store’s car park but in a nearby public access road.

Mr Springett added: “We are particularly interested in speaking to anyone who may have seen a white 1 series BMW in the area during the immediate period beforehand or afterwards as it left from the scene on Church Street at around 2pm, driving towards the High Street.

“A white BMW, suspected of being the vehicle involved, was later found unoccupied at Temple Field Close in Addelstone and has since been recovered.”

A police officer stands beside a cordon at the junction of Cloister Court and Church Street, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, where a man died and another was airlifted to hospital after a car was reportedly driven at them (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Sergeant Pat Bauer said it was believed to be an “isolated incident” and that some of those involved were previously known to each other.

He added: “There have been some reports speculating about road rage but initial enquiries do not support this and it is believed some of the parties were previously known to each other.

“The cordon on Church Road will remain in place for the time being and you should expect to see an increased police presence in the area as officers conduct enquiries, including house to house, over the coming days as we continue our work on this case.”

Additional reporting by PA