Ref. 30051-13 Colin Norman, who works at the Great Western Hospital in SwindonTRIBUTES have been paid to a leading health executive who was killed in a crash on the M4 motorway.

Geoffrey Scaife, 55, Chief Executive of Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, died after the collision between junctions 17 and 18 at Nettleton

One of the tributes was paid by Colin Norman, a manager at Swindon's Great Western Hospital, who knew Mr Scaife and was in the tailback on the M4 after the accident.

The accident occurred shortly before 7pm on Tuesday when a Renault car transporter was in collision with a Citroen car.

Both vehicles were travelling east when they crossed the central reservation into oncoming traffic. A Chrysler car driven by father-of-four Mr Scaife then piled head-on into the wreckage. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 25-year-old male lorry driver from Worthing received minor injuries and was taken to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol along with a 25-year-old man, who was driving the Citroen and his 48-year-old passenger. Police sealed both carriageways while they probed the wreckage for clues to the cause of the accident.

Mr Norman, 54, , was one of several thousand motorists caught up in the resulting tailback that stretched for more than seven miles. He said he was just minutes behind the accident when it happened.

Mr Norman, from Bath, said: "This is a disaster and I was deeply saddened to hear of Mr Scaife's death."

The M4 was closed until 2.30am a total of seven and a half hours.

Mr Norman said: "I was on my own and only had myself to worry about. I was concerned for the families I saw though."

Mr Norman acknowledged the difficult task the emergency services had on the night.

"People were generally good- natured but the flow of information could have been better."

PC David Lockwood of the traffic division, based at Westlea police station, explained that the site of the accident made delays inevitable.

He said: "The 11-mile stretch of motorway between junction 16 and 17 is the longest anywhere in the UK. This means that in the event of an accident in the area we have big difficulties diverting traffic.

"I can appreciate drivers' feelings but when fatalities are involved we have to investigate fully and that takes time."

Mr Scaife had been chief executive of the health authority since January 2003.

Anthea Millett, Chair of Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Strategic Health Authority, said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic news. The board and all our staff have lost an inspirational leader and close colleague, and I have lost a kind and supportive friend."

Anyone who witnessed the accident is urged to call police on 01793 528111.

Kevin Shoesmith