Tom Maynard death: Police investigate why he fled his car before he was found dead

Tom Maynard death: Police investigate why he fled his car before he was found dead

• Tom Maynard dies killed while 'attempting to cross a live rail line'
• Police in unmarked car tried to get him to pull over - but he stopped his Mercedes and fled the scene
• Minutes later the cricketer was run over by a Tube train in Wimbledon
• Family thank wellwishers for support following tragedy and call for privacy
  
• Maynard's Carly Baker describes him as 'the most special man she had ever met' in Twitter tribute
  
• England hold a minute silence before one day international against West Indies at the Oval today
  

By Matt Blake, Paul Newman, Leon Watson and Chris Greenwood

PUBLISHED: 06:25 EST, 18 June 2012 | UPDATED: 08:34 EST, 19 June 2012

Police are investigating why a top cricketer tipped as a future England star fled his car before being killed on a railway line after officers told him to pull over.

Tom Maynard, 23, who was suspected of drink-driving, died as he headed to his model girlfriend's home just after 4am yesterday. Today his family described the tragedy as a 'devastating blow'.

Police believe the Surrey batsman stepped on a high-voltage rail before being struck by the first Tube train of the day in Wimbledon.

Maynard’s girlfriend Carly Baker, 25, a glamour model and aspiring actress, said Maynard was ‘the most special man’ she had ever met.

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Maynard was found dead in the early hours of yesterday morning. He is believed to have died when he stepped on a high-voltage rail track

Tribute: Flowers and a shirt are left outside the Kia Oval today ahead of England's one day international against the West Indies

The cricket star's family said in a statement today: 'The Maynard family would like to thank everyone for the many messages of support following Tom's tragic death in London yesterday morning.

'As you can appreciate, the news has come as a devastating blow and although the family is grateful for all the kind messages of sympathy, we would ask that we can be left to grieve in private at this very difficult and sad time for us.'

His father Matthew, 45, a former England batsman, his teacher wife Sue, 51, and sister Ceri, 19, are all 'heartbroken' by the death.

Maynard's team Surrey have called off their game against Hampshire tomorrow at the Oval as a mark of respect.

England were playing one of the most sombre cricket games in living memory against the West Indies at the Oval today - barely 24 hours after the death. The players held a one minute silence before the start of play and wore black armbands as a mark of respect.

The tragedy happened after police spotted Maynard’s new black Mercedes C250 coupe swerving across the road near Wimbledon Park Tube Station at 4.15am.

Tribute: England and the West Indies hold a one minute silence in honour of Tom Maynard before their one day international at the Oval today

Respects: The English players observe a minutes silence in honour of Tom Maynard who was tipped to represent his country himself

Witnesses said officers followed him in an unmarked car before triggering their blue flashing lights and indicating he should stop.

Maynard, who only last week was disciplined by Surrey for going out and returning late during a championship match against Sussex, pulled into a side-street where he abandoned the car.

The cricketer ran off on foot, leaving his BlackBerry and other personal items behind.

Worshippers at a nearby mosque said the two officers did not give chase, but radioed details of the incident to their control room. Colleagues arrived with sniffer dogs and began searching gardens.

Shortly after 5am, the driver of a District line Tube train saw a body lying across the tracks a short distance from the station.

The cricketer was disciplined by his county side for going out late drinking half way through a four-day championship match against Sussex last week.

He turned up with a black eye after a late night out in Brighton. However, he returned to their side for the Twenty20 game at Beckenham against Kent on Sunday.

He applied the emergency brake but was unable to stop in time. Paramedics treated the driver for shock.

Police suspect Maynard stepped on the live rail and was knocked unconscious or killed outright.

Sombre: Players and officials observe a minutes silence in memory of Tom Maynard during the Hampshire and Middlesex T20 match yesterday, hours after the death

Grief: Underwear model Carly Baker, 25, has spoken of her heartbreak after her boyfriend Tom Maynard died on the railway line

His girlfriend Carly wrote on Twitter yesterday: 'You're the most special man I have ever met. You made me the happiest girl. I love you always X.'

She added: 'We will always be together. I love you Tom X.

'My beautiful boyfriend Tom Maynard, I can't cope with this. I love you always and forever. You meant everything to me.'

Today Carly's mother said: 'Carly is too heartbroken to speak. We are really upset. The whole family is distraught.'

Miss Baker, who as a youngster was one half of girl duo Mynxsters, recently appeared in Professor Green's video for I Need You Tonight.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has confirmed it had been notified of the incident.

Grief: Tom Maynard's model girlfriend Carly Baker, 25, said she had lost her 'special man' in a series of heart-breaking Tweets

In a statement the Independent Police Complaints Commission said: 'Once a formal referral has been received from the Metropolitan Police Service an assessment will take place regarding the level of IPCC involvement.'

Earlier, police officers had tried to pull over a black Mercedes, which they said was being driven 'erratically'.

But as they approached the driver, Maynard, who had played for his county just 14 hours before, jumped out of the car and fled into the night.

It is thought he had been on the way to visit his girlfriend at the time.

Tragedy: The cricketer's model girlfriend wrote that he was the 'most special man I have ever met' following his death yesterday and added 'I can't cope with this'

Promising: The Surrey batsman was widely tipped as a future England international

Tom Maynard's Mercedes, which was parked near Wimbledon Park station, being taken away yesterday

CCTV footage shows a police car in the search for Surrey cricketer Tom Maynard minutes before he was found dead on a London train line

PROMISING ENGLAND PROSPECT KILLED BY TRAIN

1989: Born on March 25 in Cardiff.

2004: Makes his debut for Glamorgan Under-17s at the age of 15.

2007: June 10 - Scores 71 off 75 balls on his professional debut for Glamorgan against Gloucestershire.

June 24 - Scores 11 off 11 balls on his Twenty20 debut against Warwickshire.

August 16 - Scores 15 on his first-class debut against So merset.

2010: May - Captains a Glamorgan team that includes his father Matthew, who came out of retirement to play against a Cardiff University side.

2011: January - Leaves Glamorgan and signs for Surrey.

June 17 - Scores his maiden century against Glamorgan. Goes on to score more than 1,000 runs in a stellar first season at the Kia Oval.
December 16 - Named in England Lions squad for tour of Bangladesh.

2012: May 9 - Scores highest total of 143 against Worcestershire.

June 17 - Scores seven for Surrey in their Twenty20 match against Kent at Beckenham.

June 18 - Found dead on tracks at Wimbledon Park station after being hit by a train.

Yesterday, Carly Baker's devastated father visited the scene and was overheard saying Maynard was on his way to see his daughter.

Newsagent Bharat Chandarana, 58, said the visibly upset man knew what had happened when he arrived at 10am.

He said: 'He told me the man that was hit by the train was his daughter's boyfriend. He said "He was coming to see my girl".

'He is a long-term customer that lives nearby. He was on the phone near the station for a long-time pacing up and down the road then he left.'

Later footage from a nearby baker emerged showing a patrol car scouring the street shortly after police pulled him over and minutes before he died.

A patrol car made four trips in the space of eight minutes in the early hours as they hunted for Maynard.

A local resident said she saw police use sniffer dogs to search through the gardens near the underground tracks.

She said: 'I was woken up at about 4.30am to men talking on radios. I had a look outside and there was one officer directing sniffer dogs.

'He was pointing them to the gardens on Melrose Avenue they were clearly looking for someone. They were searching practically every garden on Melrose Avenue looking for him.'

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'At approx 4.15am on Monday, 18 June, officers stopped a vehicle after it was seen being driven erratically in Arthur Road, SW19.

'The male driver of the vehicle - a black Mercedes C250 - made off on foot. Officers were unable to locate the man.

The car: A black Mercedes belonging to Maynard in a Police cordon just a few streets from where he died. Police stopped a man driving 'erratically' in a black Mercedes an hour before he died

Stopped: The car appears to have been left in a hurry blocking a driveway

Scene: Maynard died after falling under a London Underground District Line train at Wimbledon Park station, in south west London

Crossing the tracks? A general view of Wimbledon Park tube line, South West London where Maynard died. Police are investigating whether he was killed as he tried to cross a live rail line and was already dead or dying when struck by the train

Tom Maynard's last steps showing his journey from Ryfold Road to where he died less than half a mile away on tracks near Wimbledon Park Station

A SPORT IN MOURNING: CRICKET STARS PAST AND PRESENT PAY TRIBUTE ON TWITTER

Andrew Flintoff: 'Tragic news that a great lad, Tom Maynard is no longer with us. All my thoughts are with his family at this awful time x x'

Michael Vaughan: 'Someone with so much talent and so much to look forward too...Why is life so cruel sometimes...?'

Adam Hollioake, former Surrey captain who lost brother Adam in a car accident ten years ago: 'I'm totally numb...brings back terrible memories....Im feeling so sad for Matthew right now :-('

Jason Roy, Surrey colleague: 'Cant believe im writing this. R.I.P Tom Maynard, one of my best friends.You will always be in my heart and will miss you so so much.'

Jonny Bairstow, England batsman: 'Tragic news about Tom Maynard! Great bloke and serious player! Thoughts are with all his family and friends. £RIP'

Dimi Mascarenhas, Hampshire all-rounder: 'My thoughts and prayers go out to Matt Maynard family and friends at this horrendous time.. Tom will be missed by many.. Sad sad time..'

Graham Onions, England bowler: 'Words can't describe how sad I am hearing the news about Tom Maynard, my thoughts are with his family and friends £RIPTom'

Stuart Broad, England all-rounder: 'Absolutely gutted this morning to hear the news about Tom Maynard. A lovely guy and great talent. #RIPTom'

Alec Stewart, retired England batsman: 'We've sadly lost a lovely lad who had the talent to be something very special. My thoughts go out to the Maynard Family. RIP Tom

'At approx 5.10am the body of a man fitting the same description was found on tracks near Wimbledon Park station.'

The tragedy comes ten years after Surrey Cricket Club lost Ben Hollioake to a car accident in Australia.

Maynard, a likeable and charismatic player at Surrey according to members of the club, played for the county in their Twenty20 game in Kent just 14 hours before he died, scoring seven runs.

Maynard began this season in fine form, making his highest first-class score of 143 against Worcestershire, and may well have got his first England call-up later this year.

He came through the ranks at Glamorgan before moving to Surrey last summer.

The big-hitting batsman was considered a rising star in the game and earned himself a place on the England Lions tour to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the start of this year.

Surrey County Cricket Club described the batsman as 'incredibly talented'.

The club said: 'He had impressed in all forms of the game, scoring a maiden first-class 100 in Cardiff last year, playing a key role in Surrey's victory in the Clydesdale Bank 40 and earning selection for the England Lions.

'His future potential was unlimited, with experts both inside and outside the club predicting he would soon follow in the footsteps of his father Matthew by graduating to full England honours.

'As a mark of respect to Tom, Surrey's Friends Life t20 game against the Hampshire Royals at the Kia Oval that was scheduled for this Wednesday has been postponed.'

Surrey chairman Richard Thompson said: 'Our thoughts at this awful time are with Tom's family and friends and all those that were close to him.

'Tom Maynard was a prodigiously talented young batsman who had made an incredible start to his career and was clearly destined for far greater things.

'The impact Tom made in such a short period of time for Surrey CCC spoke for itself.

'There is a profound sense of loss at the passing of Tom.

'To lose anybody at such a young age is an utterly senseless tragedy.'

England legend Andrew Flintoff said on Twitter: 'Tragic news that a great lad, Tom Maynard is no longer with us. All my thoughts are with his family at this awful time x x.''

England batsman and friend Joss Buttler added: 'Life has been truly put in perspective today. Lost a great bloke and a hugely talented cricketer today. Devastated. #RIPTomMaynard'.

The big-hitting batsman was considered a rising star in the game and earned himself a place on the England Lions tour to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the start of this year

'Prodigious': Tom Maynard with his 'Man Of The Match' champagne after his innings of 60 against Sussex last September

In training: Cardiff-born Maynard was a 'prodigiously talented young batsman who had made an incredible start to his career' 

Former Surrey captain Adam Hollioake, who lost brother and fellow cricketer Ben Hollioake in a car accident 10 years ago, said: 'I'm totally numb...brings back terrible memories....Im feeling so sad for Matthew right now :-('

His club chairman, Richard Thompson, said: 'Our thoughts at this awful time are with Tom's family and friends and all those that were close to him.

The club added: 'He had impressed in all forms of the game, scoring a maiden first-class hundred in Cardiff last year, playing a key role in Surrey's victory in the Clydesdale Bank 40 and earning selection for the England Lions.

'His future potential was unlimited, with experts both inside and outside the club predicting he would soon follow in the footsteps of his father Matthew by graduating to full England honours.

'As a mark of respect to Tom, Surrey's Friends Life t20 game against the Hampshire Royals at the Kia Oval that was scheduled for this Wednesday has been postponed.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: 'BTP officers were called to the line near Wimbledon Park London Underground station on Monday, 18 June after a man was struck by a District line train.

'The incident was reported to BTP at 5.03am and was also attended by Metropolitan Police officers.

Shock: Maynard was apparently going to visit his girlfriend Carly Baker, from Wimbledon, south west London, when he became involved in a police chase

Surrey's flag was at half-mast for Maynard at The Brit Oval cricket ground in Kennington, south London

Tom Maynard appeared on Sky's cricket talk show Cricket AM on Saturday, June 16

Gifted family: The Cardiff-born cricketer was the son of former England and Glamorgan batsman Matthew Maynard

'Tom Maynard was a prodigiously talented young batsman who had made an incredible start to his career and was clearly destined for far greater things.

'The impact Tom made in such a short period of time for Surrey CCC spoke for itself.

'There is a profound sense of loss at the passing of Tom.

'To lose anybody at such a young age is an utterly senseless tragedy.'

'London Ambulance Service medics attended but the man, believed to be 23-years-old, was pronounced dead at the scene.'

In Wales, the tiny village of Pentyrch was in shock as friends and neighbours arrived at the family of Maynard father Matthew yesterday.

A neighbour said: 'We are all in shock - they are a very close-knit family - I just don't know how they are going to cope.

'I've seen them and they are absolutely beside themselves. I found out this morning what had happened and went straight to see Matthew.

'I held him in my arms as we both sobbed. He didn't say a word. I've known Tom all his life - our children were very good friends. It feels like only yesterday Tom was out here on the lawn playing.'

Tom was still registered as living at the 1950s red brick semi with ivy crawling up the front of the property.

Nine cars were parked outside the Maynard home in the village north of Cardiff as people called to support the devastated family.

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