A FAMILY man enjoying his retirement was killed by callous thieves in a stolen car on the run from police.

No arrests have been made since the incident last week, and police are seeking help from members of the public to catch the people responsible.

Roberto Da Silva, 70, was struck outside his home in Moray Avenue, Hayes, on Tuesday, February 7 at about 7pm, as he was getting out of his car.

The retired engineer, originally from Cape Verde, died at the scene. He had suffered severe trauma to the spine. The two men in the other car ran, leaving the pensioner fighting for his life on the pavement. They are still on the loose, and police want to close the net.

Teenage grandsons of Mr Da Silva took to Twitter to pay their tributes following the tragedy.

Jordan Carrs, 18, from Harrow, wrote: “RIP to my grandad Roberto Lopes Da Silva. Your [sic] going to a better place now. Look down and guide us all from heaven. Sleep tight x.”

Bernardo Lopes Da Silva, an Uxbridge College student, posted: “The only grandad i had, so why take him away from me and my family? What have we done to deserve this??!!”

“RIP Roberto Lopes Da Silva. I Will Always and Never Stop Loving you.”

The family was still too upset to talk to the Gazette this week, but police confirmed on Monday that a manslaughter investigation is underway.

The Volkswagen Golf involved in the collision had been stolen in a burglary, and within minutes police were on its tail in Dawley Road. They were forced to abandon the pursuit after their marked car collided with another vehicle at the junction of Botwell Lane and Church Road. The burglars sped off, struck Mr Da Silva’s car then escaped on foot.

Detectives and Safer Neighbourhood Team officers took to the streets near the accident spot yesterday (Tuesday) to hand out leaflets in a renewed appeal for witnesses and information.

? Did you see the VW Golf before the fatal incident or the men running from the scene? Do you know them? Call the incident room on 020 7321 7228, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.