TRIBUTES have been paid to a former town council chairman and local stalwart who died after an accident on the A12 near Saxmundham Alan Jack Revell, aged 84, who was known as Jack, of St John's Road, Saxmundham, was confirmed dead at the scene after his green Nissan Micra car was involved in a collision with a lorry at around 8.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former town council chairman and local stalwart who died after an accident on the A12 near Saxmundham

Alan Jack Revell, aged 84, who was known as Jack, of St John's Road, Saxmundham, was confirmed dead at the scene after his green Nissan Micra car was involved in a collision with a lorry at around 8.30am yesterday at the B1121 junction at Kelsale.

The road was closed for several hours and diversions set up, to allow emergency services dealt with the accident scene.

Mr Revell, who was the only occupant of the car, was a town stalwart and former head teacher, well known throughout Saxmundham.

People were described as in “absolute shock” as news reached them of his death.

The driver of the Volvo heavy goods vehicle, who was travelling alone, was shocked by the acccident, and police made arrangements for him to be taken home.

“Obviously it's as bad as it can get because someone has lost their life which is always a tragedy,” said Sgt Steve Knight, from Suffolk police who was at the scene.

“I would rather not speculate at this time on the cause of the accident. I can say I don't think the ice or the weather was a contributory factor.”

At the moment they believed that the Nissan Micra came from the Saxmundham direction and pulled out of the B1121 junction onto the A12 into the path of the articulated goods vehicle, which was travelling southbound, he said.

Sgt Knight said they had several witnesses to speak to, and appealed to anyone else travelling along the roads around 8.30am who saw the accident or saw either vehicle prior to the accident to contact police.

Mr Revell's wife, Helen, paid tribute to her husband, who played an active part in town life after the couple moved there in the early 1950s.

Mr Revell, who also leaves three sons and five grandchildren, was a former member of Saxmundham Urban District Council, which later became Saxmundham Town Council, and was twice a town council chairman.

He was head teacher at Rendham primary school, then at Saxmundham primary until he retired.

He was heavily involved in Saxmundham Sports Club, where he was chairman and secretary for some years, and remained a trustee.

He was also an avid Ipswich Town supporter and season ticket holder, and would take the town coach to home matches.

“He did a lot for his community because that was the sort of thing he was supposed to do,” said Mrs Revell. “He thought he should pay something back.”

He was a keen gardener and chess player and enjoyed postal chess.

Roy Simpson, himself a former town council chairman, said the town would be in “absolute shock” about his death.

He was due to attend a Labour Party meeting with Mr Revell, a lifelong member of the party, today , he said.

He described him as “a marvellous man, a gentle gentleman”, as well as an intelligent and progressive man.

“He was all for change and encouraging young people and the development of the town,” he said.

Anyone with information about the accident is asked to contact PC991 Gary Hutchings at the Halesworth Traffic Unit on 01986 835100.