A TRAGIC Amazon driver allegedly dragged half a mile to his death after his van was stolen suffered horror head and chest injuries, an inquest heard.
Claudiu-Carol Kondor, 42, was killed in Wortley, West Yorkshire, in August while making a delivery.
Mark Ross, 32, has been charged with murdering the Amazon driver.
An inquest heard how Claudiu-Carol was “a Romanian gentleman who was contributing to society” when he was killed.
Senior coroner Kevin McLoughlin said: “He was here, he was working hard, when he found someone stealing his vehicle.
“He’s commendably tried to prevent the crime taking place but he’s paid an immensely high price for this.”
Wakefield Coroners’ Court heard the driver’s cause of death was head and chest injuries.
Mr McLoughlin said the tragic case involved the “violent and unnatural death of a valued citizen”.
He adjourned the inquest until a date to be fixed.
The horror unfolded as Claudiu-Carol allegedly found a man behind the wheel of his Ford van when he returned from delivering a parcel.
He was dragged for half-a-mile when the van sped off while he clung desperately to the passenger door.
Footage showed the vehicle slamming into parked cars before the delivery driver was flung into the road.
Claudiu, who was engaged to his long-term partner, tragically couldn’t be saved and was declared dead at the scene.
Ross, of Leeds, has been remanded into custody ahead of a provisional trial next year.
A 24-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was released on bail pending further inquiries.
Police also held a woman on suspicion of assisting an offender but she has been released under investigation.
Tributes flooded in for the driver after a GoFundMe set up by his colleagues reached more than £20,000.
It read: “It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of the loss of our beloved colleague.
“Claudiu was a dedicated and cherished member of the SP Transport Group family, who tragically lost his life during a struggle that occurred in the midst of a van theft.
“This unimaginable loss has left us all devastated.
“Claudiu was more than just a colleague – he was a friend, a confidant, and a valued member of our team.
“His commitment to his work and the camaraderie he brought to the workplace will never be forgotten.
“The impact of this tragedy extends far beyond our workplace, affecting all who had the privilege of knowing Claudiu.”
