A well-known sportsman and businessman has been killed in a road crash.

Karl Hearn, 58, of Churchill Road, Kidlington, was driving his company van when it collided with a lorry between Rycote Lane and the A418 near the Oxfordshire Golf Course, near Thame.

He was cut from the vehicle by fire crews and certified dead at the scene just before midday on Friday.

Mr Hearn was a former president of Oxford Marathon Rugby Club, where he was a member for 30 years and ran the colt side. He played the Dame in their Christmas pantomimes and was also a keen darts player.

Mr Hearn was joint managing director of H&R Engineering, a plastic injection moulding firm, based in Launton Road, Bicester. He set up the company - which employs eight people - 16 years ago.

His brother-in-law Martin Brandon, a tool setter at the company, said everybody employed there was in a state of shock. He said: "We are still coming to terms with what happened. We haven't closed the place, we're just trying to keep going as normal. He was a great person and he'll be very sadly missed."

Mr Hearn was married with one son. A spokesman for Thames Valley Police confirmed the coroner had been informed.

Story date: Tuesday 13 April

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