News, events and chat from Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
Disabled teen ‘shocked’ as specialised van stolen
An adapted van essential to 18-year-old Oliver Ellison’s mobility and independence was stolen while he attended a Sheffield Wednesday match with his father. The theft has disrupted his travel to appointments and college, and highlights how losing a specialised vehicle can sharply limit everyday activities for a disabled person.
The blue Ford Tourneo was taken from Wordsworth Avenue in Sheffield between about 13:10 and 16:00 GMT on Sunday. Oliver relies on a powered wheelchair weighing around 150kg and cannot use a standard car; his father said the family paid about £8,000 upfront for their van six years ago, while a comparable adapted vehicle could now cost nearly £20,000. South Yorkshire Police said it had no realistic further lines of inquiry and had filed the case pending new information.
In short
- Oliver Ellison’s adapted van was stolen in Sheffield.
- The theft is affecting his independence and access to college.
- A replacement adapted vehicle could cost nearly £20,000.