Vigil to be held for lorry driver killed in Belvedere

Vitali had only arrived in the UK the month prior, working to transport goods for a a logistics company amid lorry driver shortages, but was found injured outside the south east London station on September 18.

The 45-year-old leaves behind a wife and toddler back in Ukraine, and now local members of the Belvedere community are organising a vigil in honour of his life.

Councillor Dave Putson, who has lived in Belvedere since 1980, is organising the occasion, and says the local community have be left shocked by the news.

"Belvedere is usually a peaceable place, and this is a huge tragedy for this family.

Belvedere Station

"Vitali he came to the UK on 15th September to earn for his family but also to assist the UK in a HGV Driver shortage.

"I very much doubt that the people of Belvedere can believe that this has happened on their doorstep.

"We need to come together to to show our solidarity against violence and acknowledge a life so sadly lost in horrendous circumstance."

The councillor says they have made an agreement with Vitali's family in Lviv Oblast to hold the vigil after Metropolitan Police reached out following his murder.

The vigil will be held at 6pm on Saturday, October 2, at Belvedere Station where Vitali was found.

Cllr Dave Putson

The flyer reads Vigil: "Vigil: In solidarity against violence and to acknowledge the life of Vitali Skrypniak.

"Please join the Belvedere and Erith Communities to pay our respects."

Councillor Putson added: "There has been tremendous support for this vigil on social media with some really lovely comments posted from the community.

"The police and LB Bexley officers have also been really really helpful too"

In a statement, police previously said they were called at 22:13hrs on Saturday, 18 September, after a man was found injured outside Belvedere Railway Station.

Officers attended along with London Ambulance Service and found Vitali. Despite their best efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination held on Tuesday, 21 September at Princess Royal University Hospital gave cause of death as a single stab wound to the chest.

A man has since been arrested on suspicion of murdering the lorry driver - Police say they have a 27-year-old in custody.

Police said his death "has torn their lives apart, leaving his wife distraught and a young boy without a father.

"Vitali was left to die in the street. The motive at this time remains unclear; we're keeping an open mind and pursuing a number of lines of enquiry.

"Our thoughts are with them, and we are keeping them as informed as we can as our investigation progresses."

Anybody who can assist detectives with their investigation is urged to call the investigation room on 0208 345 3715, call 101 or tweet @MetCC quoting 7975/18SEPT.

To remain 100% anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers_uk.org.