SHOCKED staff at a transport firm are in mourning after one of their lorry drivers died at the wheel on Saturday.
Colin Wright (62), of Pebble Close, Sutton Bridge, was confirmed dead after emergency services were called to a crash at about 10am on the A47 near Norwich.
Norfolk Coroner’s Service say Mr Wright died of natural causes, rather than as a result of injuries received, and there will be no inquest.
Norfolk Police say his HGV crossed the central reservation at the Harford Bridges junction following a collision with a blue Seat Leon.
Both vehicles were travelling towards Yarmouth at the time.
Two other vehicles travelling towards Dereham received minor damage.
Emergency services including the East Anglian Air Ambulance were called.
Paramedics confirmed Mr Wright’s death at the scene and treated the woman driving the Seat.
The road was closed for several hours for police accident investigators to probe the cause of the crash and for the road to be cleared of potatoes that spilled from Mr Wright’s lorry.
Mr Wright, a family man, had worked at Swineshead transport firm Mason Brothers for more than ten years.
Director Richard Mason said: “He was a very valued member of a close-knit team.
“As you can imagine, the whole place is subdued. We are all in mourning.
“He was one of the ‘old school’ drivers, always very reliable and well liked.
“He was a great guy, really, a family man, a very hard worker, very reliable.
“I can’t praise him enough. We are all still very raw at the moment.
“It’s a great loss.”
Mr Wright’s job took him all over the country.
Mr Mason said the company’s thoughts are with Mr Wright’s family at this time.
It is believed Mr Wright leaves family including his wife, son and grandchildren.