Tributes paid to popular taxi driver

Tributes paid to popular taxi driver

Taxi driver Michael Ecclestone, who died after his car left the A47, is pictured here on the left. Next to him is Keith Evans, his long-time friend who has been paying tribute to him.

TRACEY GRAY
05 October 2007 09:51

Tributes have been paid to a popular taxi driver who died after his vehicle was in a car crash on the A47.

Michael Ecclestone, 64, known as Mr Mouse to his friends because of his quiet demeanour, was killed when his car left the dual carriageway close to Postwick and overturned in a field last Friday.

The taxi driver, who lived in Sprowston with his wife Shirley, was well-known for helping customers with any car trouble they had, and had worked with cars all his life, having started out serving an apprenticeship with a Jaguar specialist in Prince of Wales Road.

Friend Keith Evans, 66, knew Mr Ecclestone from when they both worked together in different departments at the Jaguar dealership

He said: “He was the type of guy, if you had a problem, he would help you sort it out, no questions asked. He would do anything for you.”

After working his way up to foreman, Mr Ecclestone went to work for Edmunds Car Sales in Aylsham Road before deciding to set up his own taxi business, Kestral Taxis based in Ber Street, nearly 20 years ago, with friend Norman Thackray, 64.

Mr Thackray, said he was devastated by the loss of a friend who had been like a second father to his two daughters, Samantha, 28, and Jo, 24. He said: “He would do anything he could to help anyone. I know of one customer who has told me he helped him sort out a problem with his car which he discovered while taking him home. He was a proper taxi driver, he would open the doors and help people.

“He was also like a second father to my two daughters, he did not have any children of his own and I think they filled a niche in his life”

Mr Ecclestone had been driving his burgundy Skoda Octavia taxi on the A47 towards Norwich when it left the dual carriageway at Postwick at about 10pm on Friday. It was discovered on Saturday morning. There were no other passengers in the car.

Police are still keen for witnesses to the crash, or anybody who saw the car beforehand, to call them on 0845 456 4567.