Tributes to Mike Elcombe and Brian Chapman killed in A47 crash

Tributes have been paid to a bus driver and passenger killed in a horrifying rush-hour collision on a busy main road.

Bus driver Mike Elcombe, 45, and his passenger Brian Chapman, 76, were pronounced dead at the scene after the double decker bus Mr Elcombe was driving hit the side of an HGV.

Mr Elcombe’s grief-stricken wife Sonia today changed her Facebook profile picture to an image of her husband smiling in his First Bus uniform. 

First Bus confirmed its X1 service, which Mr Elcombe was driving, is not fitted with seatbelts. 

Six other passengers suffered serious injuries and 11 more were left with minor injuries in the collision on the A47 in Guyhirn, Cambridgeshire, at 7.30am yesterday.  

Mr Chapman had returned from holiday one day before the crash and was making his weekly trip to a market in Kings Lynn when he was killed. 

His devastated neighbours said Mr Chapman enjoyed riding on buses and would sit up the front and chat to the driver.

Bus driver Mike Elcombe, 45, was pronounced dead at the scene after his double decker hit the side of an HGV

Mr Elcombe's grief-stricken wife Sonia today paid a heartfelt tribute to him on Facebook 

Mr Elcombe’s grief-stricken wife Sonia today paid a heartfelt tribute to him on Facebook 

Brian Chapman, 76, was making a weekly trip to a market in Kings Lynn when he was killed 

Brian Chapman, 76, was making a weekly trip to a market in Kings Lynn when he was killed 

The wreckage of a double-decker bus is removed from the scene on the A47 at Thorney Toll near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, following a fatal collision involving the bus and a lorry

The wreckage of a double-decker bus is removed from the scene on the A47 at Thorney Toll near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, following a fatal collision involving the bus and a lorry

The wreckage of a double-decker bus is removed from the scene on the A47 at Thorney Toll near Wisbech in Cambridgeshire, following a fatal collision involving the bus and a lorry

The driver of the bus, a man in his 50s from Norfolk, and a passenger in his 70s from Northampton, died at the scene

The driver of the bus, a man in his 50s from Norfolk, and a passenger in his 70s from Northampton, died at the scene

Mr Elcombe worked for First Buses in King’s Lynn and lived with his wife Sonia, a care assistant, in Swaffham, Norfolk.

His colleague Jonny Whitaker paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying: ‘Thinking about the driver and family of today’s fatal bus crash in Guyhirn. He was a true gentleman and such a kind character. RIP.’

Julie Hitchcock said: ‘Such sad news mate, he was a lovely chap. Thoughts are with his family and all his work mates.’

Kieren Tabor added: ‘Nice guy, good work mate, always had time for you. It’s a real shame, a real shame’.

The collision is thought to have occurred when the articulated lorry turned right out of its depot on to the busy 60mph A-road.

Shocking pictures show the jack-knifed truck wrapped around the bus in scenes described by police as ‘horrendous’.

Mr Chapman, who was known for his collection and love of teddy bears, previously worked at the Royal Mail. He was a verger at St Peter and Paul church in Kettering.  

His neighbours Denise, 54, and Perry Mayhew, 59, said: ‘It’s especially sad because he’d just come back from holiday just the day before.

‘We couldn’t have had a better neighbour really. He’s really well known in the community. 

‘He sits at the front and likes to talk to the bus driver. It’s a regular thing that Brian does so he might have known the bus driver.’

Two men died and a further 14 people were injured in the crash between a double decker bus and a lorry

Two men died and a further 14 people were injured in the crash between a double decker bus and a lorry

Sonia Elcombe paid tribute to her partner on social media today

Sonia Elcombe paid tribute to her partner on social media today

The serious crash happened at about 7.30am today on the A47 in Guyhirn, Cambridgeshire

The serious crash happened at about 7.30am today on the A47 in Guyhirn, Cambridgeshire

The First bus smashed into the side of the double decker outside the Brett's yard on Thorney Road at the A47

The First bus smashed into the side of the double decker outside the Brett’s yard on Thorney Road at the A47

The East of England Ambulance Service described the crash as a ‘serious road traffic incident’

Emergency services were in attendance including an enhanced doctor and paramedic team

Emergency services were in attendance including an enhanced doctor and paramedic team

Rector David Walsh led with the tributes to him on Facebook, saying: ‘Sad and shocking news for our church community here in Kettering.

‘Our verger for the past few decades, Brian Chapman, was killed earlier today in a road traffic accident.

‘He was in a bus on his way to King’s Lynn. It’s hard to imagine St. Peter & St. Paul’s Church without him.’ 

Damon Wellington Long added: ‘Brian was a lovely, hard working, chatty and kind man who loved our Church, his town and his bears.

‘He was great at taking our Beavers, cubs and Scouts around the Church, I’ve got to know him when I’ve done work in his garden and especially when I was a server at Church and he never stopped amazing me with his knowledge and stories of our town, our Church and himself.’

Maria Chapman also wrote: ‘What awful, awful news. He will be much missed by many. I was so very fond of him.’ 

Inspector Jamie Langwith confirmed the lorry driver was questioned at the scene but has not been arrested over the crash.

The officer for the Beds, Cambs and Herts Road Policing Unit described the collision as a ‘horrendous scene’. 

Emergency crews were called to the A47 in Cambridgeshire at around 7.30am this morning

Police confirmed none of the seriously injured passengers were wearing seat belts at the time, but could not state whether this included the driver

Police confirmed none of the seriously injured passengers were wearing seat belts at the time, but could not state whether this included the driver

East of England Ambulance Service said it had sent seven ambulance crews

Highways England said the road was not expected to open until 1pm at the earliest, and ambulance staff urged people only to call them in a genuine emergency

Highways England said the road was not expected to open until 1pm at the earliest, and ambulance staff urged people only to call them in a genuine emergency

Three ambulance officers and two rapid response vehicles were sent to the scene today

Police said In addition to the two fatalities, a further 17 people were injured as a result of the collision. Six received serious injuries and the remaining minor. 

The majority of the people injured were from Peterborough, with one from Hunstanton in Norfolk. 

No children were on board the bus at the time of the crash.

The side of the lorry shows the logo of Brett’s Transport, having come from the depot just metres off the A47 where the crash happened.

The bus involved was a First X1 Excel service which was travelling between Peterborough bus station and Wisbech bus station, at the time.

Paramedics said the crash was initially declared as a major incident because of the number of patients involved, but that was stood down shortly before 10am

The lorry appears to have pulled out of its depot onto the busy 60mph A-road and then collided with the bus

The lorry appears to have pulled out of its depot onto the busy 60mph A-road and then collided with the bus

Police confirmed two men had died in the horrifying crash, and their families have been informed

Police confirmed two men had died in the horrifying crash, and their families have been informed

Cambridgeshire Fire Service said crews were called to the crash at 7.33am this morning

In a statement released today, Steve Wickers, Managing Director at First Eastern Counties buses said: ‘It was a very sad day yesterday for everyone involved in what was a devastating incident on the A47 in Guyhirn.

‘I, along with my local team would like to send our sincere condolences to the families, friends and colleagues who have lost a loved one from the incident and to extend my thoughts to those who sustained injuries, who I hope all have speedy recoveries.

‘I would also like to thank the Police and the Emergency Services for their support yesterday, in what was a very traumatic situation to manage.

‘Today has been a challenge, especially for the colleagues and friends of Michael our driver at Kings Lynn bus depot, who sadly lost his life.

‘But as true professionals and as dedicated as they are, our drivers have all come into work this morning and are providing a full service for customers wanting to travel on our Excel service between Peterborough, Kings Lynn and Norwich.’

Highways England said the road was not expected to open again until 1pm at the earliest

Highways England said the road was not expected to open again until 1pm at the earliest



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk