A CAR enthusiast was killed and his teenage son seriously injured in a road crash in France. Jamie Corrie, 57, of Peppard Common, was travelling to see the Le Mans 24-hour race when his 1972 Ferrari Dino collided head-on with a car near Alen�on in north-west France. The father-of-two, who was driving, suffered severe head injuries, a punctured lung and a broken leg and was airlifted to a hospital in Caen. He died on Saturday afternoon, a day after the accident. His son Josh, 17, who was in the passenger seat, broke his right leg and was taken to a hospital in Alen�on. The Henley College student was brought back to Britain by Eurostar on Wednesday and taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, where his condition is said to be satisfactory. Mr Corrie’s wife Laura, brother Guy and brother-in-law were at the hospital when he died. He also leaves a 14-year-old daughter Lucinda, a student at Gillotts School in Henley. The former racing driver was a Peppard parish councillor and ran his own car workshop in Stoke Row, specialising in the repair of classic cars. Mr Corrie, who had travelled to see almost every Le Mans race for the past 30 years, was following a friend’s car and trying to overtake another vehicle when the crash happened around noon last Friday. His sister Julia Plaisted, of Nuffield, said: “Jamie’s life revolved around his family, friends and cars. The Ferrari was his one indulgence. “We all grew up in Bolts Cross House in Peppard and he had stayed in the village ever since. His children were all at Peppard school. “He was an avid and enthusiastic supporter of local events, particularly the Henley Show, and he was always the first to offer a helping hand. He will be sorely missed.” Sir David Money-Coutts, Mr Corrie’s father-in-law, said: “We are all devastated. Jamie only lives a quarter of a mile away from us and since his parents died five or six years ago, he has really been part of the family. “He was always willing to help anybody and was a big contributor to the community. Everybody we have talked to about him is genuinely shocked.” Mr Corrie studied engineering at the Henley Technical College and was an apprentice at Stuart Turner before working at Maltin Concessionaires, a prestige cars garage in Reading Road. He founded Jamie Corrie Motor Engineering in the Seventies, starting out at his home before moving to the workshop in Stoke Row. He used to run the veteran cars section at the Henley Show. Iain Rowley, owner of Delta Motor Sport in Stoke Row, described Mr Corrie as being “like a brother” to him. He said: “I have known him for 20 years and first met him at the 750 Motor Club. “When his family came along he stopped racing and concentrated on his business. When he gave up, he gave me his crash helmet bag. I will never throw it away.” Simon Hope, of Hillcrest Specialist Cars in Nettlebed, knew Mr Corrie for about 25 years and they shared the workshop for 10 years. “He helped me get started in business,” said Mr Hope. “He is widely respected in the classic car realm. “He was a devoted family man and a gentleman. He always had a smile and was the best guy you could wish to meet.” Mr Corrie was elected to Peppard Parish Council in 2003 and sat on the planning committee, taking a keen interest in protecting the countryside. Fellow councillor Valerie Phelps described him as “loyal” and “kind” and said his death was “like a light going out in Peppard”. She added: “If anyone wanted help, he would do it. When we had the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebration on the common he brought a car from every year of her reign.” Nick Launders, who chairs the council said: “Jamie was blessed with the gift of common sense and so was highly valued as a parish councillor. “He was a kind and generous man. He approached other people’s problems with great optimism. “His death will leave a chasm, both as a personal friend and as colleague. His perception and practical solutions were taken for granted. How we will all miss his many skills, straightforward kindness and uncomplicated friendship.” Nigel Wooding, vice-chairman of the council, added: “Peppard has lost a true friend, a real gentleman who was always volunteering to help people. He touched so many people’s lives and we will miss him massively.” Published on 22 June 2009
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