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Lorry driver from Ukraine stabbed to death outside Belvedere Railway Station as murder investigation continues

A Ukrainian lorry driver on a job in the UK was stabbed to death outside a railway station.

Married father Vitali Skrypniak was found injured outside Belvedere Railway Station in Bexley at 10.13pm last Saturday.

Vitali Skrypniak was off duty when he was attacked. Photo: Met Police
Vitali Skrypniak was off duty when he was attacked. Photo: Met Police

Police and and ambulance services were called to the station but paramedics were unable to save the 45-year-old, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination held on Tuesday at Princess Royal University Hospital gave cause of death as a single stab wound to the chest.

Mr Skrypniak, who lived in Lviv Oblast in Ukraine with his wife and son, had arrived in the UK on Sunday August 15 to transport goods for a logistics company.

A statement from his family described his killing as "a great tragedy for our family".

"My daughter has lost her husband and their son a father," it continued.

"We want those responsible to be punished with the maximum penalty. Please, help the police and provide them with information to help catch the person who has done this."

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers is leading the investigation into the murder. He said: "Vitali was a married man with a toddler back at home in Lviv Oblast.

“His death has torn their lives apart, leaving his wife distraught and a young boy without a father.

"Our thoughts are with them, and we are keeping them as informed as we can as our investigation progresses.

"Vitali worked hard as a lorry driver but was off shift at the time of the incident. We believe he had parked his vehicle up overnight in Hailey Road, five minutes away from Belvedere Station.

Police were called to Belvedere Station on Saturday night
Police were called to Belvedere Station on Saturday night

"He had bought some drinks and had spent some time speaking to fellow drivers before he was attacked.

"Vitali was left to die in the street. The motive at this time remains unclear; we're keeping an open mind and pursuing a number of lines of enquiry.

"Anyone who was in the vicinity around this time, who might have seen Vitali and the people he was speaking to, is urged to contact us. Did you see an altercation? Perhaps you caught an altercation on your dashcam but didn't realise the significance of it.

"Please help us bring justice to a grieving wife and child. No piece of information is too small."

Anybody who can assist detectives with their investigation is urged to call the investigation room on 0208 345 3715, call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting 7975/18SEPT.

To remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers_uk.org.

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