Cardiff Hit-And-Runs: Police Hunt Mystery Car

Tributes have been paid to a mother of three who died in a series of hit-and-run crashes in Cardiff, which also left seven children injured.

The woman was named locally as 32-year-old mother Karina Menzies, who died after she was knocked down outside a fire station in the Welsh capital.

Her disabled child is currently on a dream holiday in Florida and is unaware of the tragedy, according to Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan.

A 31-year-old man, arrested on suspicion of murder, remains in police custody for questioning in the wake of the collisions, which occurred at five different locations in the Ely and Leckwith areas.

A total of 14 people were injured in the crashes, and two of those are in a critical condition.

Friends of Miss Menzies have expressed their grief on social networking sites.

The white van pictured after being stopped by police

Facebook user Katy Johanna Benson wrote: "Rest in piece (sic) Karina Menzies. Sleep tight beautiful angel and may the scum responsible for this senseless, evil murder be brought to justice. Cant (sic) imagine what her family are feeling."

The drama began when South Wales Police received calls about an accident on Crossways Road in Ely at 3.30pm on Friday.

One eyewitness reported a woman being dragged along underneath the vehicle suffering terrible injuries.

There were soon reports of hit-and-run collisions in several locations in the west of the city, including Grand Avenue, Cowbridge Road West and the Leckwith Retail Park.

Ely sub-postmaster Shady Taha, 29, served two girls and a young woman moments before one of the hit-and-runs in Grand Avenue, immediately outside a row of shops.

He said the two girls, aged about 10, and a woman in her mid-20s had been browsing the birthday cards in the store before buying a jar of coffee and leaving.

Police were called to five locations in Cardiff

"All of a sudden I heard a bang. I looked out and across the road one girl was on the floor and the other girl was screaming," he said.

"I heard a van speed off but I did not see it."

Other residents said pedestrians were deliberately targeted by someone driving a van.

Ramesh Patel, who runs RM Patel Convenience Stores on Cowbridge Road West, said: "I was in the shop working at the time so I didn't actually see anything but customers have said a white van purposely drove at people.

"Obviously, when someone tries to run you down deliberately that is frightening, not pleasant at all.

"I was working here in the store so I didn't see that myself but that is what most people who have come in here have said. People seem very shocked."

Police examine the scene of one of the crashes

Superintendent Julian Williams said the suspect was arrested while driving a white Iveco transit van and was taken to Cardiff Bay police station.

"Whether the actions were deliberate or reckless is a matter for the inquiry and the person will obviously be spoken to," he added.

Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley said a weapon may have been used against some of those injured, but did not say what type of weapon was alleged to have been used.

He added: "At this stage there is no suggestion that there was anybody else involved with this incident."

He also made an appeal for information about a black Renault Clio seen driving on the wrong side of the road, heading towards Ely last night.

All of the injured were taken to the city's University Hospital of Wales, where the A&E department was initially shut to anyone not involved in the crashes, but has since reopened.

Dr Grahame Shortland, medical director at the hospital, said those being treated mostly had fractures and head injuries.

Cardiff NHS had appealed for blood donors in the immediate aftermath.

Cardiff West MP Kevin Brennan said the people of the city were "waking up to a nightmare that's all too real".

He added: "I don't think anyone can quite believe the events that were witnessed in and around this area."

South Wales Police is asking anyone with any information on the collisions to contact them on 01656 655555. Around 70 officers are involved in the investigation.

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