News Beat
Police cordon at Seaham Esso garage lifted in murder probe
A man in his 20s was hit by a car at the Esso garage on Stockton Road around 4.50pm on Thursday (January 15), and died at the scene.
Seven people have so far been arrested and a manhunt launched for a 19-year-old Ashton Anderson who is wanted in connection with the incident.
The road remained closed into Saturday (January 17) as crime scene investigators returned to continue their enquiries. On Sunday (January 18) morning the road had reopened with police having left the scene.
The petrol station remained closed on Sunday but staff were pictured inside its Asda shop once again.
The shattered front window of the store has been boarded up, while a green tarpaulin remains stretched over the forecourt.
Cones and orange barriers now surround the petrol station. Red tape has replaced the earlier blue police tape around the garage.
Flowers have been placed on the forecourt in tribute to the victim, who has not yet been formally identified.
Officers are still appealing to the public to find Ashton Anderson, who is wanted in connection with the incident. The 19-year-old is described as around 5ft10, of slim build, and with short brown hair. Anyone who sees him is asked to call 101.
DCI Chris Woollett said previously: “I’d like to thank the community of Seaham for their support while our officers have been carrying out their inquiries since Thursday evening.
“An increased police presence will remain at a number of locations in and around the area while the investigation continues, but I’d also like to reassure people that we have no information to suggest any wider risk to the public.
“Anybody found to be assisting or concealing suspects, however, will face robust action.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the victim.”
Four men, three in their teens and one in his 50s, have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Three women, one teenager and two in their 40s, have been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All seven emained in custody on Saturday. Durham Police has been contacted for an update.
Paramedics and the fire crews also attended on Thursday.
A spokesperson for the North East Ambulance Service said previously: “We attended an incident at the service station on Stockton Road in Seaham just after 4.50pm on Thursday (January 15)..
“We dispatched a paramedic ambulance, a doctor in a rapid response car, a clinical team leader, a specialist paramedic and one of our Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) crews following reports of a collision between a pedestrian and a car.”
Residents previously told of the moment flashing blue lights swarmed the station and blocked off the street, as one admitted the ordeal has left her “terrified”.
Anne Forster has lived on the row of houses opposite the incident for nearly five decades.
The 82-year-old said: “I saw the police cars pull up and the lights flashing at about 5pm but I didn’t see what happened.
“There wasn’t any crashing noises that I remember. Since then, police have just been all over. They have had both sides blocked off.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this around here. I feel terrified. The police had their drones up and I told all my neighbours to keep their doors locked.”
