Cardiff hit-and-run: ‘Karina Menzies died saving her daughters’ lives’

HUNDREDS of people gathered last night to share their grief at a poignant church service after a hit-and-run rampage left one mother dead and ripped a community apart.

Karina Menzies died – and about a dozen other people were injured – when a van careered into pedestrians in Ely, Cardiff, on Friday afternoon.

Ms Menzies, 32, saved the lives of her children when she was mown down and killed, it emerged yesterday.

Her brother said she had been walking past a fire station with her children when a white van, – which injured 13 others in a 30-minute terror spree – was driven straight at them.

The raw emotion in the Welsh capital was evident yesterday, as 200 people visited the murder scene en mass to hold a minute’s silence for Ms Menzies.

And last night, the Rev Jan Gould led a special service at Church of the Resurrection in Ely.

The vicar, who broke down during her morning service at the church, told a packed congregation from the pulpit: “Whether we’ve personally known one or more of the victims of Friday’s terrible events, or whether we are here as a member of this community simply wanting to show solidarity, there can be no one who has not been profoundly affected by what has happened here this week.

“This must surely be perhaps the deepest grief we have shared as a community.

“This grief, of Karina’s tragic death has broken the heart of our community, and the healing work that is now to be done will take a very, very long time.”

Ms Menzies threw her children out of the way of the van, her brother, Craig Menzies, said yesterday.

“He went through the traffic, aimed for them and then just hit them head on,” said Mr Menzies.

“She just screamed and threw them out of the way as much as she could.

“He still clipped them, but she took it head-on. She saved their lives.”

Murder squad detectives last night continued to question a 31-year-old man over the bloodshed, with several victims still being treated in hospital.

Seven of those hurt were aged under 12, including two of Ms Menzies’ daughters, one aged eight and the other a 23-month-old toddler.

Two of the injured adults were in a critical condition last night and five children were also receiving treatment.

In her service, Ms Gould pleaded with her congregation, many of whom were weeping during the hymns and readings, not to resort to “revenge”.

About 600 people, including family and friends of the victims, heard her say: “The only way that we can move forward into the future with hope, is by responding to this suffering the same way Jesus did – with love. Not malice, not hatred, not revenge. Not taking the law into our own hands.”

Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley said the suspect had carried a weapon, and left his Iveco van to physically assault people. Police want to identify and recover the weapon, which was believed to be a steering wheel lock.

There were also unconfirmed reports that police were investigating whether the driver had been involved in a domestic incident before the rampage.

Police said a key part of the inquiry was focused on establishing who owned the white van.

Witnesses were urged to get in touch with information about a black Renault Clio, on a 05 registration plate, seen driving on the wrong side of the road of Western Avenue, not far from Cowbridge Road West.