News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

The Polish lorry driver believed to have been hijacked in Berlin was alive when his vehicle ploughed into a Berlin Christmas market and tried to stop the massacre, it has been claimed.

Lukasz Urban, 37, was shot in the carnage while 11 others were also killed when the huge truck veered off the road and smashed into wooden booths in the centre of the city on Monday night.

But it has now been claimed that he was stabbed while trying to grab the steering wheel in a desperate bid to save lives by regaining control of the lorry from the perpetrator.

The alleged ISIS terrorist then shot Lukasz dead when the vehicle came to a halt before fleeing the scene.

As police launched an international manhunt for the perpetrator, a source told Bild: “There must have been a fight.”

Yesterday a picture believed to have been taken just minutes before the vehicle was allegedly hijacked at a depot in Berlin was released.

Before he was hijacked, Lukasz is thought to have gone to kebab restaurant Amrumer Grill and spent £2.10 on what became his final meal.

Ariel Zurawski, who owns the haulage company and whose cousin is believed to have been the hijacked driver, said: " I see it that they did something to him and hijacked his truck that was practically in Berlin centre.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

(Image: EPA/Marcin Bielecki)

"It was a good truck, so they could have done what they did. It was not my driver. They simply did something to him, God forbid, so it looks.

"I can guarantee, he is my cousin. Truly, I have known this man from birth. People say that when a driver has time off, he drinks beer, but not him.

(Image: REUTERS)

"If he is to drive on the following day, he would never drink. I can guarantee, it was not our driver who did it. Why would he drive in Berlin centre, if he was waiting for unloading.

"He was packed with steel, 25 tonnes of it. It would be illogical."

(Image: REUTERS)

GPS data revealed by German newspaper Bild shows the truck was hijacked at some time between 3pm and 4pm yesterday.

At 3.19pm and 3.44pm there were failed attempts to start the vehicle which could either have been the Polish driver attempting escape or the attacker trying to drive the truck.

The truck was then driven short distances towards the market shortly before 5pm and shortly after 5.30pm.

It is reported the manner in which the truck was being driven suggest the driver was a 'beginner' and that the engine was being choked.

(Image: REUTERS)

In this time the Polish haulage company which owned the vehicle had attempted to contact the driver with no success.

At 7.34pm the truck was finally driven with more purpose towards the scene of the attack.

Shortly after 8pm, the vehicle's headlights were turned out and the truck was driven into dozens of Christmas market revellers.

(Image: AFP)

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: AFP)

Mr Zurawski continued: “He has been a driver for 15 years, an experienced truck driver for many years, and a normal one. I can guarantee the one who was in Berlin centre was not my driver.

"They must have done something to him. When I talked to him he said he was in such a district that he saw Germans only in offices. He bought a kebab because he was hungry. We shared some jokes.

“His phone does not answer. A moment ago my wife spoke to his wife. She could not get through to him since 3pm. Something is wrong. He should have answered, the more so that it was his wife calling.”