SOUTH WOOTTON: Driver’s final actions avoided serious crash
Bob Chilcott from King's Lynn
A South Wootton woman has paid tribute to “the love of her life” after he is believed to have died of a heart attack whilst at the wheel of a van.
Robert “Bob” Chilcott, 57, who worked for Foster Refrigerator, in Lynn, became ill while driving a van in Dunston, near Gateshead, on December 12.
His partner, Alison Logan, 44, said: “He waved people past, including the woman whose car he bumped, and then drove off the main road into the car park just before it happened.
“It was just such a shock, he was fit as a fiddle.”
A keen cyclist, Bob had cycled 53 miles with his partner and other members of the Foster and Friends Cycling Club the Sunday before his death.
Miss Logan said: “He loved cycling and was a massive part of the group, he will leave a huge hole for all of us.
“Bob was the love of my life. We would go cycling every Sunday – leave first thing and not get home until late; I loved spending those days with him.
“He loved to spend time with his brother, sister-in-law and two nephews. They joined us and my daughter, Emma, on skiing holidays, which were some of his happiest memories.”
She added: “He was such a huge character, larger than life. Everyone just loved him wherever he went.
“He just had the biggest heart and he would always do anything to help anyone, even if he didn’t know them, he would do anything he could to help.”
Bob used his passion for cycling to help raise money for charities including Norfolk Hospice Tapping House and Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Miss Logan said: “He was the sort of guy who walked into Tesco and knew everyone. The staff always remembered him. He just drew people to him.”
Bob had worked for Foster Refrigerator for 28 years – several on the shop floor, but more recently as a service engineer.
A spokesman said: “We are saddened by the tragic loss. Bob was a popular and highly-valued member of the team.
“He was renowned for his old-fashioned level of customer support, making sure they were always satisfied.
“Our thoughts are with his family and close friends.”
Miss Logan, who worked with Bob, said: “He absolutely loved his job, missed the banter from the shop floor but just loved getting out and meeting people as he travelled around hospitals and businesses.”
A police spokesman said: “A Renault Trafic van collided with a parked Vauxhall Vectra car. The driver of the van was taken to the Royal Infirmary in Newcastle where he was later pronounced dead.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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Wind direction: North east
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