Soham Man Killed in A14 Tyre Explosion

AN EXPLODING tyre is thought to have killed a Soham haulier on the A14. Marshall Bell, 51, from East Fen Common, had stopped in a layby near Haughley in Suffolk to check his tyres when the incident happened at around 12.25pm on Thursday. Paramedics wer

AN EXPLODING tyre is thought to have killed a Soham haulier on the A14.

Marshall Bell, 51, from East Fen Common, had stopped in a layby near Haughley in Suffolk to check his tyres when the incident happened at around 12.25pm on Thursday.

Paramedics were called, and part of the A14 was closed to allow the East Anglia Air Ambulance to land, but the emergency services were unable to revive Mr Bell, who was unconscious when they arrived.

He leaves wife Tracey, and children Daisy, Holly, Matthew and Bradley.

Ian Ogier, co-director of Soham firm Geoff Hobbs Haulage, where Mr Bell worked, said Mr Bell was a genuine man who would be very much missed by staff.

"Marshall was a really wonderful bloke who will be very much missed by all who knew him," he told the Ely Standard. "He had worked for Geoff Hobbs Haulage for almost three years to the day and was one of our most valued drivers - genuine, hardworking, cheerful, and always ready to help and nothing was ever too much trouble. He was well regarded by many of our customers who valued his commitment to doing his job well and always giving them 100 per cent in his own inimitable style."

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on Friday, by the Bury St Edmunds coroner.

Mr Bell's funeral will be held at St Andrew's Church, Soham on April 7 at 11am. No flowers on the family's request, but donations for the East Anglian Air Ambulance can be left at the service or sent to CE Fuller & Co, 23 Hall Street, Soham CB7 5BN.