Pictured: Father, 51, who died after he was ‘attacked outside Screwfix during row over queue-jumping’ – as 24-year-old man is arrested and bailed
- Police called to an ‘altercation’ between two men at the DIY chain in Warrington
- Andrew Webster, 51, was found with serious injuries and taken to hospital
- Was rushed to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool but died nearly a week later
- Police said a 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault
A ‘gentle’ businessman has died after being attacked by another customer while queuing outside a DIY store.
Witnesses suggested Andrew Webster, 51, and his attacker were involved in an altercation in the queue outside a branch of Screwfix, in Warrington, Cheshire.
The shop is only allowing customers to pick up click and collect orders because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Andrew Webster (pictured with his wife Lisa and his daughter Ruby), 51, died after being attacked by another customer while queuing outside a branch of Screwfix, in Warrington, Cheshire, on July 2
It is thought Mr Webster was punched and suffered head injuries after falling and hitting the pavement during the attack on Thursday, July 2.
He was taken to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool for specialist care but died nearly a week later.
Police said a 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of assault had been bailed pending further inquiries.
Staff refused to talk about the incident or confirm rumours that the argument began over queue jumping. There have been long queues outside the store because of the limited service.
However, another trader on the small industrial estate said he had been told that the two men got into a row, possibly because one of them jumped the queue, and Mr Webster was hit four times.
Police said they were called to an ‘altercation’ between two men at a branch of the DIY chain in Gateway Trade Park (pictured) shorty after 10am last Thursday
Last night Mr Webster’s tearful wife, Lisa, 42, with whom he had an 11-year-old daughter, Ruby, told the Daily Mail that her husband had not known his assailant before the attack. She described him as the ‘gentlest of men’.
In a tribute on Facebook, Mrs Webster revealed that her husband’s organs had been donated before he died.
‘I want you all to know he was my true hero,’ she wrote. ‘He was just the most amazing, bravest guy.’
Mr Webster, from Warrington, used to run a firm fitting green energy solutions to homes.
At the time, Cheshire Police reassured the public that the attack was an ‘isolated incident’.
Detective Sergeant Candice Sivori, of Cheshire Police, said: ‘I would like to reassure the local community that this appears an isolated incident.
‘We have an increased police presence in the area to provide reassurance and I would urge anyone with any concerns to speak to an officer.
‘While we have made an arrest we are continuing to appeal for information from the public.
‘We’re keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone with any information which may assist with our investigation.
‘The same goes for anyone who was driving in the area at the time of the incident and thinks they may have dashcam footage which may be relevant to the investigation.
‘I’d urge anyone with any information to contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting IML-744483.’