A12 Essex crash: Tributes to Norman Case as inquest opens

Norman Case, 58, was sitting in stationary traffic in his Volkswagen Polo near Kelvedon when another vehicle drove into the back of him.

The inquest into Mr Case's death was opened on Wednesday, with tributes following after he was named publicly for the first time.

An ex-colleague and close friend of Mr Case, Aubrey Wright, described him as “the life and soul of the party” and said he was well respected in the technology industry.

Inquest - area coroner for Essex, Michelle Brown, opened and adjourned an inquest into Norman Case on Wednesday (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

He said: “He is a man I have known for many, many years.

"He was our accounts manager in 2008. He worked for Samsung – he has always been in the IT and audio-visual industry.

“There has been an outpour of emotions from a lot of people – and I mean a lot of people, because they all loved the guy.

“He was so happy, he was a happy gentleman – I think that really does sum him up.

“He is such a loss to so many.”

Mr Case lived in Tolleshunt Major with his family and worked for Handy AV, an audio-visual company based in Kent.

Mr Wright, 65, of Bromley, owns the company and has known Mr Case since 2008.

He continued: “It was a shock – he was the life and soul of the party and he was a man who was well respected.

“I have had people phone me up – one guy said worked for Norman and said 'he saved my life'.

“We have to look on the other side of this now which is to celebrate this gentleman’s life – because he was a true gentleman.”

The inquest into Mr Case's death was suspended for four months pending a police investigation.

Investigation - Essex Police confirmed a 21-year-old man is under investigation (Image: Essex Police) Coroner Michelle Brown said: “I am happy to open [the inquest] on the basis that [the death] was as a result of the road traffic collision.

“It was requested by police for a suspension, pending confirmation of whether there will be prosecution or not.”

The collision, which occurred on October 22, closed the A12 for several hours whilst the scene was investigated.

Essex Police have confirmed a 21-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving remains under investigation.