Man in his 30s stabs 79-year-old motorist to death after 'he crashed into the back of his classic car'

Police are hunting for a knife man in his 30s who stabbed a 79-year-old motorist to death in a suspected road rage attack after the pensioner 'crashed into the back of his classic car'.

Detectives launched a murder investigation after the 'minor collision' on the A24 at Findon, West Sussex, shortly after 8.30pm last night.

The suspect, who has brown shoulder length wavy hair, got out of his 'pale-coloured' car and rowed with the driver before stabbing him multiple times at the side of the dual carriageway and driving off. 

A Sussex Police source said: 'We believe the car behind bumped into the one in front and gave it a minor, rear-end shunt.

'Both chaps got out and the driver of the front car attacked the bloke in the second. He was stabbed more than once.'

An air ambulance crew and paramedics desperately carried out first aid on the pensioner, who has not been identified, but he died at the roadside.

The knifeman is described as white, aged between 30 and 40, 6ft tall, skinny with shoulder length brown wavy hair with a thin face. His car is said to be a 'pale-coloured old style vehicle'.

Detective Chief Inspector Karen Mizzi of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: 'Officers have been urgently making inquiries overnight to trace the suspect.  

'We need to hear from witnesses who saw the collision, the suspect or the car involved, particularly if anyone filmed the incident or saw anyone filming it.

'Specially trained officers are supporting the victims family at this extremely difficult time.' 

A Sussex Police spokesman added: 'A suspect who was in the car in front got out and stabbed the driver of the other car. The air ambulance landed and paramedics carried out first aid on the victim but he died at the scene.

'The suspect got back in the vehicle and drove off. Inquiries are ongoing to trace the suspect.'

A cyclist and a runner were seen in tears at the scene of the death while a section of the A24 southbound at the junction of Cross Lane, Findon, remains closed and a diversion is in place.