Tragedy of minicab woman

The dangers of illegal minicabs were highlighted today after a woman was killed falling from an unlicensed car.

Luz Pinzon suffered horrific head injuries after the driver sped off while she was getting into the car. She died in hospital five days later.

Today her family spoke of their grief as police continue to appeal for witnesses to the incident.

Ms Pinzon had thought the car was a legitimate minicab. She was spun around and flung to the ground. Her brother Dario, 48, a chef, said her death had sent shockwaves through his family.

"That man has completely destroyed my life," he said. "He is a crazy and dangerous person. I want him to be punished and to realise the devastation he has caused to all the family."

The tragedy happened when Ms Pinzon, 47, who was on an errand to buy medicine for her father, went into the office of Camberwell Cars in Denmark Hill.

A cab was ordered and shortly afterwards she heard a man shout for her from a car parked outside the office.

Thinking it was her cab, she began to step into the G-reg silver Nissan Bluebird saloon when the controller called out to warn her she was not getting into one of the company's vehicles.

Startled by the shout, the man drove away, leaving Ms Pinzon with fatal injuries.

Ruth Reyes, 38, her sister-in-law, said: "We don't know if she was pushed but she fell out and hit her head. We just want to know what happened. We suspect he was trying to steal clients but we don't know if he was trying to abduct her or rob her."

A member of staff at the taxi firm told the Standard they were regularly plagued by illegal drivers.

Colombian-born Ms Pinzon, a librarian, moved to London 15 years ago. Her 25-year-old daughter Carolina, a civil engineer, had been due to fly from Colombia to visit this month.

A police spokeswoman said the incident took place at 3pm on Tuesday 14 September. She said: "We can only wonder why the suspect drove away when the door was still open, leading to this tragic death.

"But it would appear he was an illegal minicab driver and the reason he was driving at speed and didn't notice the door was open was probably because he was trying to get away before the cab firm stopped him."

Acting Superintendent Chris Rose of Scotland Yard's Transport Operations said: "You should never underestimatethe dangers of illegal and unlicensed minicabs. Not only could they be potential death traps, you just do not know who you are getting into the cab with or the motive of the driver."

Officers have arrested a 39-year-old man from south-east London. He has been released on police bail while officers continue their investigation.

Anyone with any information should call Sergeant Richard Wileman on 020 8285 1574 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.