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Tragic death of Cumbrian agent

04 June 2010
Written by rosalind renshaw


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."
 

Comments

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    So very sad. Heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his loved ones. Tragic.

    • 07 June 2010 12:54 PM
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    tragic, god bless

    • 04 June 2010 21:08 PM
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    I agree with the last comment. Is there something we can do, as an industry, to mark this obviously lovely young man's death? A scholarship of some sort maybe? Something to recognise all of us who routinely drive roads as part of our working lives? Sorry, can't be more specific. Like everyone else, just totally devastated by this news. And of course, we are thinking of all of the victims, but somehow this was one of the very saddest and has struck the most chords. EAT reported the tragedy in the way I'd expect, but understand everyone elses' feelings. The most awful thing.

    • 04 June 2010 19:25 PM
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    This post has been removed by site admin

    • 04 June 2010 18:49 PM
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    Even sadder are the comments in this column from our Brothers to this young man.
    May I suggest we show our true comradeship in making contributions to his Fiancee

    • 04 June 2010 18:26 PM
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    Nothing is more important than life and good health.Everyone is in mourning for Jamie,his family and those of the other victims.

    • 04 June 2010 14:50 PM
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    Cumbrian@heart - your comment is taken on board. That was not my intention.
    Perhaps those who moderate the site will consider removing both posts.

    • 04 June 2010 14:21 PM
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    @Alan & Peebee
    For goodness sake, even a story like this is attracting pointless debate enticing comeback.
    Leave it well alone.

    • 04 June 2010 14:02 PM
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    Alan: Are you so naiive as to not expect the same headline in Farmers' Weekly, appertaining to the poor lad who was shot and killed in the performance of his job? Or Law Society News? Or any other trade publication whose member died as a result of this tragedy? We are all painfully aware of the loss of twelve lives - and pray that none of the other victims add to the shocking total of needless waste of life. A little more respect would not have gone amiss...

    • 04 June 2010 13:57 PM
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    There were 11 other poor people that died.

    Bad heading really even if this is just for Estate Agents.

    • 04 June 2010 12:53 PM
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    It puts the rest of our problems into perspective. A very sad story.

    • 04 June 2010 10:56 AM
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    A devastating situation for all that lost their lives. Thoughts and wishes are with your families at this difficult time.

    • 04 June 2010 09:29 AM
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    A tragedy for all involved in this horrific incident. Thoughts for the families of Jamie and all those affected. When will the madness end?

    • 04 June 2010 09:25 AM
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    I agree - absolutely tragic. Condolences.

    • 04 June 2010 09:17 AM
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    Tragic, my condolences.

    • 04 June 2010 08:46 AM
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