People across north Norfolk are in shock after the news a well-known Holt estate agent died in a car crash.

Eastern Daily Press: John Shrive, who died in a car crash on Wednesday.John Shrive, who died in a car crash on Wednesday. (Image: Archant)

John Shrive, 75, was driving back to Norfolk when his Vauxhall Omega estate car crashed with a Ford Focus on the B1061 at Stetchworth Park in Cambridgeshire.

An East of England Ambulance spokesman said the air ambulance attended the scene but Mr Shrive died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Mr Shrive was a Rotary club stalwart, parish councillor and former chairman of the Kelling Hospital Appeal Trust. He was described as a man of honour, and his friends have spoken of their horror and sadness at his death.

He was travelling back from a meeting at his old school, Wellingborough in Northamptonshire when he crashed at about 6pm four miles south of Newmarket.

Holt chartered surveyor Stephen Scott-Fawcett had known Mr Shrive for 16 years and said he was a true gentleman.

He said: 'He quietly got on with his work in a way which avoided controversy and upheld the best side of estate agency.

'He was an honest broker in the property world and will be a great loss to the Holt and north Norfolk business community. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family and close friends.'

Charles Simeons, of Holt Rotary Club, said Mr Shrive had visited him in hospital just a fortnight before the crash.

He said: 'We will all miss him very much. He was somebody who didn't get heavily involved personally but he was always there when he was needed.'

Mr Shrive sat on Bodham Parish Council, was a member of Holt and District Farmers' Club and was involved in local charities.

Tim Nicholson, of the club, said the loss would leave a big hole.

In a newsletter to club members Mr Nicholson said: 'I have referred to him as our club's senior member and he served us with distinction since he came to Holt in the 1960s.'

Penny Bevan Jones, who knew Mr Shrive through his work for the Kelling Hospital Appeal Trust and Sheringham charity Excel 2000 which she founded, said the shock of his sudden death had upset her but his life should be celebrated.

In the crash, the driver of the Ford, a 50-year-old man from Haverhill, suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

Anyone who saw the collision or any of the vehicles involved just prior should contact Sgt Paul Tanner on 101.

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