Nike running trainers and flowers have been left at the scene of a crash that killed a "local legend".
David Francis, known lovingly as "Litherland Running Man", was killed on Thursday, April 13, when a stolen Audi hit him and crashed into a house on Morgan Mews, Netherton. Police believe the car had been stolen earlier that day from the Harrison Drive area of Rainford.
The driver ran away in the direction of Swifts Lane and St Bernard’s Drive and is now wanted by police. Tributes have flooded in for the 63-year-old online and bouquets have also been left at the incident scene.
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One tribute left at the scene, from his friends and neighbours Shirley and Brian, reads: "We are devastated to know that this has happened to you David. We are missing you, so very much." Another person has also left a pair of Nike running trainers.
Pictures of David Francis first appeared on social media in 2013 as residents in Sefton posted pictures of him running in just a pair of shorts and trainers. Locals began to call him the "Litherland running man" and a Facebook page was even created for the real life "Forrest Gump."
In a touching tribute on Facebook, Chris Campbell said: "Whenever we’d be out in the car I’d always be looking out for him saying 'there he is kids - The Litherland Running Man.' The kids knew him as LRM too.
"He was a machine, he ran effortlessly, he just ran for the love of running. He was our very own modern day Forrest Gump. I don’t think he actually knew how locally famous he was.
"He was a legend and he was our legend. I hope his family take a little bit of comfort in how much everyone followed his movements, his life and had a real admiration for that man who ran without a top and half of tubi grip on his left calf. RIP - Dave Francis."
Detective chief inspector Andy McCourt said: "This is truly a horrific incident in which an innocent member of the public has been tragically killed by a stolen car. The driver of the car has then made off on foot. I am today appealing to that driver do the right thing and hand themselves in to police.
"It is only a matter of time before we find you and arrest you. The family and friends of the man who was killed have been left devastated by their loss and I am determined that we will get justice for them.
"If anyone in the community who knows who that person is or have any information I would urge them to come forward. I would also appeal for any witnesses who may have CCTV, dash cam or doorbell footage in the area of the collision or in the areas of Caithness Drive and Harrison Drive to please come forward and assist us.
"Witnesses are asked to contact our Matrix Serious Collision Investigation Unit on (0151) 777 5747, email SCIU@merseyside.police.uk, or DM @MerPolCC on Twitter quoting reference 23000314332. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously."
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