Keith Stevens, 33, died in hospital following the horrifying incident in Melbourne
The family of a motorcyclist who died after he was dragged 80 metres by a gang of car thieves have spoken of their grief, as police hunt four young men who were in the stolen vehicle.
Keith Stevens, 33, died in hospital following the horrifying incident in Melbourne which left him with multiple fractures and burns to 50 per cent of his body.
The sheet metal worker from Mitcham was dragged 85 metres along a street in his home suburb after a stolen BMW sped through an intersection on Wednesday.
‘Keith was a loving father, partner and son. Born in Scotland he called Australia home,’ his family said in a statement.
‘His death is being felt by the lives he touched around the world. Keith was our gentle giant and he leaves behind shocked friends and family.’
The family thanked the community and police for their support and asked for their privacy to be respected.
‘Keith was a loving father, partner and son. Born in Scotland he called Australia home,’ his family said in a statement
The sheet metal worker from Mitcham was dragged 85 metres along a street in his home suburb after a stolen BMW sped through an intersection on Wednesday
‘This is a person who’s just riding his motorcycle, going home,’ Detective Inspector Stuart McGregor said on Thursday.
‘How astounding, how deflated, how desperately sad the family must be right now, I can’t bear to imagine.’
Insp McGregor said the young men dumped the BMW in a freeway emergency exit lane at Scoresby before continuing their rampage of crime.
The gang tore down the front door of a nearby home before running inside and stealing car keys as the couple’s daughter was alone inside.
The family thanked the community and police for their support and asked for their privacy to be respected
One witness told Fairfax Media they saw the car speeding right before the crash, which dragged the bike along the road as it burst into flames
‘It’s like they’re playing a video game… And unfortunately this is a real life game,’ Det Insp McGregor said.
CCTV footage showed the four approaching the home. They allegedly stole the family’s car, which was later found burnt out at Narre Warren.
‘The fact is that you are going to have to face justice. The fact is we are going to arrest you. You may as well do the right thing now and just come in,’ the detective said in a message to the perpetrators.
One witness told Fairfax Media they saw the BMW speeding just before the crash, which dragged the bike along the road as it burst into flames.
CCTV footage showed the four approaching a home where they allegedly stole a family’s car
The hit and run offenders are also believed to have attempted to break into a number of houses where they allegedly stole a white Toyota sedan (pictured)
‘People were screaming and crying. Then I saw the flames as I raced over to see what was going on,’ one witness told 9 News.
Denyse Ward told ABC News it was an ‘unbelievable’ scene and something that ‘you never want to witness’.
The offenders remain on the run.
The gang allegedly stole the family’s car, which was later found burnt out at Narre Warren