Candlelight vigil for father killed in Lidl crash

A community will come together for a candlelight vigil in memory of a father of two killed when a car crashed into the entrance of a Lidl supermarket.

James Singh Jagpal, 39, was pronounced dead at the scene in Finchfield Hill, Wolverhampton, on 23 October.

The vigil will take place at the Windmill Community Church, next door to the supermarket, on Friday at 18:00 GMT.

In a statement on Facebook, the church wrote: "Following the tragic incident at Lidl in Finchfield, our thoughts and prayers are very much with the family and friends of James Singh Jagpal, and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy."

The event is open to the public and will allow people to light a candle and say a prayer.

"As a local church and part of this community, we want to offer a place where people can come together, remember James, reflect, support one another and find comfort," the church said. "Let's come together with compassion, kindness and love."

Almost £17,000 has been raised in an online fundraiser for the family.

"No family should ever have to experience such heartbreaking loss, and no words can truly express the pain and emptiness left behind," said Sophie Jagpal, a family member who set up the page.

In a family statement issued by police, James, from Wolverhampton, was described as "a much-loved son and brother, devoted partner of over 20 years, and loving father to two wonderful daughters".

They paid tribute to his "kindness, generosity and wonderful sense of humour".

Two people who suffered serious injuries inside the building have since been discharged from hospital, West Midlands Police said.

The driver, a woman in her 70s, has also been released from hospital and will be "spoken to in due course", the force added.

Four others were treated by paramedics and discharged at the scene.

The death is not being treated as suspicious but police have asked anyone who was in the Finchfield Hill area on the evening of the crash and saw a blue Renault Zoe to contact the force.

Floral tributes have been left at the site and the store has since reopened to shoppers.

Lidl previously thanked the community and said its "deepest thoughts and prayers" remained with the family.

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