A tragic car accident has claimed the life of 31-year-old Benjamin Gladman, who was killed when his red Ferrari 360 crashed and smashed against a tree near Marlingford, Norfolk, on Saturday afternoon. The incident occurred around 3 PM on January 27, 2025, on Bow Hill, as Mr. Gladman was driving the sports car on this narrow track.
According to witnesses, the Ferrari was nearly destroyed upon impact, with pieces of the car strewn across the scene. Lord David Cameron, the former Prime Minister who was participating in a shooting weekend at Marlingford Hall with friends, was one of the first to arrive at the scene and aided by his security detail.
Geoff Mayer, who works as a chef at The Bell Pub and was returning home after finishing his shift, was passing the location when he stumbled upon the crash. He described witnessing the wrecked Ferrari, nearly split in half, and stated, "I was trying to make sense of what I saw as I was coming around the corner. It was clear it was a Ferrari in a bush. I was shocked. I got closer and realized it hadn't just been left there; it had just happened." Mayer rushed to assist Mr. Gladman, who was still conscious but struggled to talk.
Mayer dialed emergency services as he reassured the driver to stay with him. "The male was trying to speak. I couldn't make sense of what he was saying, and the woman in the car was unconscious," reported Mayer, recalling the horrifying scene. Just moments later, two Land Rover Discoveries and a tractor arrived, one of the vehicles carrying Lord Cameron himself.
Witnesses noted how quickly the former Prime Minister’s bodyguards reacted, stepping out from their vehicles to take charge of the situation. Mayer recounted, "The people in the Land Rover then told me to say [to the 999 operator] they were special unit police, undercover, and to tell the person on the phone they were taking charge of the scene but still required emergency services." The undercover officers then attempted to perform life-saving measures on Mr. Gladman.
Despite their best efforts, Benjamin Gladman was pronounced dead at the scene, with paramedics unable to revive him. His female passenger, who remained unidentified, was airlifted to Norwich hospital and is reported to be in serious but non-life-threatening condition.
Sources close to Lord Cameron revealed he felt immense sympathy for those affected by the crash, particularly for Mr. Gladman's family. A source stated, "He feels huge sympathy with those involved and their families. He is very proud of the protection team and the professionalism and dedication they showed." This tragic incident is indicative of the dangerous conditions on this rural roadway, known for previous accidents within the same vicinity.
The Bow Hill area has seen heightened traffic incidents, reflecting the need for awareness and caution. Just months prior, another vehicle collision occurred at the same junction, leading to discussions about road safety and potential measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with driving, especially at speed on narrow roads like Bow Hill, where the community has experienced its share of loss and heartache from vehicular accidents.
Benjamin Gladman lived just half a mile from the crash site, where he and his brother ran Gladman Properties. The impact of this loss will resonate not only within his family but throughout the community he was part of.