A4 West Kennet crash: Tributes paid to ‘kind, generous’ grandfather

The family of 65-year-old Jeff Brown from Beckhampton released a statement following the fatal road traffic accident on the A4 near West Kennet on bank holiday Monday (May 29).

They said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden and tragic death of Jeff Brown on May 29, 2023.

“He will be remembered as a kind and generous man who loved his family, cared deeply for all creatures, and was friendly to everyone he met.

The driver of the white Astra van was pronounced dead at the scene. (Image: Trevor Porter)

“Jeff was a devoted husband to Janina, father to Matt, Lawrence and Rachel, grampy to Ted, Elsie, Zak and Freya and son to Shirley.

“We know you were proud of us all and we will all miss you dearly. You were taken from us too soon.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which involved a white Astra van and a red Land Rover.

Officers responded to 999 calls from a section of the road near Marlborough that came in just after midday on May 29.

Paramedics took a woman in her 50s to hospital to be treated for injuries that were not thought to be life-threatening.

The van driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

A spokesperson for Wiltshire Police said: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time and we request that their privacy is respected.

“If you saw what happened, please contact us on 101 quoting reference number 54230056044.”

The emergency services closed the A4 between the Burj at the Bell restaurant and Beckhampton roundabout for much of the afternoon and evening to investigate the scene of the crash, then reopened it on the following day, May 30.