A12 Lowestoft,scene of a fatal accident.

A community was in shock this week after a retired architect died in a collision on the A12 in north Lowestoft.

David Wright, of Gainsborough Drive, Gunton, was crossing Yarmouth Road on Monday evening with his wife and family when he suffered fatal injuries in a collision with a Renault Megane.

Mr Wright, 74, who was returning home after a meal at the Foxburrow Beefeater pub and restaurant, was taken by ambulance to the James Paget University Hospital but died later that evening.

His wife Pauline suffered serious injuries in the same incident and was taken to the James Paget in a critical condition but last night she was said to be stable at Addenbrookes’ Hospital in Cambridge.

News of the tragedy has shocked the close-knit community in north Lowestoft, where Mr Wright was a member of the Gunton Park Residents’ Association and Gunton Woodland Community project.

Mr Wright, who was blind and regularly walked into Lowestoft with his guide dog, was also a popular member of the Lowestoft Live Arts group for the visually impaired, which meets at Colville House in School Road.

Its chairman, Chris Collis, said: “We’re all devastated at the group. He was very sincere man and he would help anyone he could. He was devoted to his wife Pauline, who is a helper at Lowestoft Live Arts.”

Chris Songer, chairman of the Gunton Park Residents’ Association, said: “He was an inspiring man. He would be out in all weathers with his dog. It was a great shock to hear what happened and our sympathies go to his family.”

David Briggs, chairman of the Gunton Woodland Community Project, said: “He was a lovely man. He was always walking around the estate. He came to all our social events and participated in our fund-raisers.”

A 27-year-old woman from the Lowestoft area, who was driving the Megane, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She has been bailed until April 7, pending further inquiries .

The tragedy happened just days before plans for the final phase of a northern spine road for Lowestoft was unveiled at Lowestoft Town Hall on Wednesday to interested parties.

One of its aims is to act as a bypass, easing traffic problems along Yarmouth Road.

Just after noon on Wednesday, there was another accident on Yarmouth Road by the Foxburrow which saw a Citroen Picasso end up on its roof with its male driver suffering minor injuries.

■ Witnesses to the collision should call Sgt Julian Ditcham on 101.