Man impaled on shelf by car, murder trial told
SuppliedA man allegedly murdered as part of a feud between families was fatally impaled on a metal shelf when he was rammed by a car at a petrol station, a court has heard.
Daniel Ambler, 23, was declared dead at the scene after being struck by a Nissan X-Trail in Seaham, County Durham, in January, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Barry Anderson, 52, and his sons Ashton, 20, and Logan, 19, deny murder. Two 18-year-olds, Tyler Leadbetter and Ajay Henry, deny the same charge.
Ambler had more than 50 injuries including some likely caused by being hit about the head with a crowbar, the trial heard.
Jurors heard statements from North East Ambulance Service paramedics who said they were sent to the Esso garage on Stockton Road at 16:55 GMT on 15 January.
One said she arrived five minutes later to find Ambler lying on his back on the forecourt near a "smashed window", with police giving first aid.
There was blood around his head and he had facial injuries including a large wound to the left side of his neck, the court heard.
'Almost immediate death'
A second paramedic said he got to the petrol station at about 17:10 and it was "clear" Ambler "had been deceased for a bit of time".
He also noted seeing a jagged metal stick protruding from a shelving unit in front of the shop, which he believed Ambler had been "impaled" upon.
Pathologist Dr Louise Mulcahy conducted a post-mortem examination the following day and concluded Ambler's death was caused by "traumatic injuries" to his neck.
The court heard his jugular vein and carotid artery had been severed, which would have caused major blood loss, while a fracture to the top of his spine would have resulted in "almost immediate death".
The "likely" cause of his neck injuries was the metal shaft from the shelving unit, the pathologist said.
The trial continues.
Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram and listen to Radio Newcastle on BBC Sounds.
