Police appeal for video of Old Kent Road car fire

Police believe that Michael Paxman left his home in Rotherhithe between 12.30am and 1am on Sunday 11 January.

He was driving a black Audi RS4 registration number KE07 HWH.

At around 2.20am he was seen driving over the Bricklayers Arms flyover heading east.

At 2.27am police were called to reports of Paxman's car on fire after it collided with a bus stop by a tree in the Old Kent Road.

The police, ambulance service and two fire engines, a fire rescue unit and around 15 firefighters from Peckham, Dockhead and Bethnal Green fire stations attended the incident.

Paxman was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem examination was held on Tuesday at Greenwich Mortuary, which was unable to determine a cause of death at this stage.

Detectives have established that Michael was in New Kent Road and Newington Causeway area for an about an hour before the collision.

"Michael was a family man who leaves behind two young children," said Detective Inspector Dave Reid.

"His family are devastated by his death,"

"We believe Michael left home that morning to go and buy something to eat.

"Exactly what happened after he left is something that we are working hard to establish, and I need the public's help.

"At this stage our forensic team continue to work on establishing the cause of the holes that were found in Michael's car.

"I appreciate that there is a lot of speculation that these were caused by shots being fired at the car. Until those forensic tests are complete I cannot confirm that this is the case.

"There have been numerous reports about armed men on mopeds chasing the car and multiple shots being fired, but at this stage we have found absolutely no evidence to support that as a chain of events.

"I would appeal for anyone who saw Michael driving his black Audi RS4 in the Elephant & Castle area, or anyone who can help us clarify exactly what he was doing between 1am and 2.20am, to get in touch with us.

"I particularly would ask anyone who saw the car being driven along the Old Kent Road to contact us.

"Michael was driving at high speed prior to the collision. We are particularly keen to speak to the driver of a dark car that was travelling behind him after the traffic lights at the junction with Albany Road.

"That second vehicle is described as being similar to a BMW M5. That is the only other car driving near Michael, in the same direction at the critical time.

"Finally, a number of people tried to help Michael after the car crashed. I would ask them to contact us as soon as possible, or indeed anyone who witnessed the aftermath.

"We have already been assisted by a number of people who recorded the incident and I would ask anyone else with footage to send it to us."

Please email footage to [email protected]

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police at the incident room on 020 8721 4054 or phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.