Tragic death of Cumbrian agent

News Category: Industry News

The 23-year-old letting agent who was one of the victims of Cumbrian gunman Derrick Bird, had his life ahead of him and was happily making plans to get married when he was killed.

Jamie Clark was the youngest of the 12 people slaughtered in Wednesday’s massacre. He was caught up in the bloodbath as he simply went about his business.

He worked for the Cockermouth business of national lettings chain Belvoir, where shocked colleagues include the franchise owners, husband and wife Colin Belton and Pamela Schure. Ironically, they had bought the franchise in 2006, after selling a business in South Africa,  in order to be able to raise their family in a safe and peaceful part of the world.

One workmate described him as one of the nicest lads it was possible to meet. Jamie had moved from Bedfordshire to be with his fiancée, Leanne Jarman, who was studying at the University of Cumbria. The couple planned to marry in 2012.

Until Wednesday’s tragic events, Jamie had known immense good luck: nine years ago, his parents had won £2.3m on the national lottery, according to the local Bedfordshire paper. Today, they are distraught.

Jamie was driving through Seascale in a branded car on his way back to the office from a viewing when Bird opened fire on him, although it has yet to be established whether he died as a result of being shot or in the resulting crash.

In a statement, the company said: “We are all utterly devastated by the death of James Clarkin Seascale. It is difficult to put into words the profound sense of shock and loss that we are feeling.

“James was one of our letting agents and was an asset to our company. He moved up to Cumbria with his fiancée Leanne and had been with us at Belvoir now for nearly two years.

“He was outgoing, cheerful and very friendly, and a highly valued member of our team. Our sympathies go out to Leanne and James’s family. At just 23, this is a tragic loss of a young life.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with them, along with the friends and family of our Belvoir colleagues and all the many other people affected by this tragedy.”

This morning, Belvoir boss Mike Goddard said: "Everybody at Belvoir, from the team at central office to the staff and owners at our 140 offices is deeply shocked at the tragic loss of this young and outstanding employee.

"He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time as he went about his daily work. Our thoughts and prayers go out to James' family, his fiancee and his friends, as well as his colleagues in Cumbria who are understandably devastated, but at the same time, incredibly resourceful and brave.

"Our operations director drove to Whitehaven as soon as the news broke."
 


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