An inquest revealed that a property developer passed away following an accident in which he lost control of his Ferrari, despite the intervention of bodyguards associated with former Prime Minister David Cameron.
The incident involved Benjamin Gladman, a 31-year-old enthusiast of motorsports, who crashed the Ferrari 360 he had desired since childhood while showcasing its engine sound to his girlfriend, Barbara Zart. The tragic event occurred near Marlingford in Norfolk on January 25, resulting in the developer’s death and Zart sustaining injuries.
Conservative Peer David Cameron, who was in the vicinity for a shooting weekend, was one of the first individuals to arrive at the scene. Cameron’s security officers, trained in first aid, along with Police Constable Alan Gould, who happened to be passing by, rendered assistance by providing immediate aid to the victims.
During the inquest conducted by Yvonne Blake, the coroner for Norfolk, Gladman’s family described him as a compassionate and caring individual who was deeply concerned about others. The family disclosed that Gladman and his twin brother, Matthew, were business partners who co-founded a property development company in Norwich.
The family statement highlighted the twins’ shared passion for motor racing, particularly Formula One, noting that they had purchased a Ferrari as an investment. Zart, in her statement read at the inquest, mentioned Gladman’s fondness for the Ferrari and their planned outing to Norwich on the day of the accident.
Zart recounted how Gladman wanted her to experience the car’s engine sound, describing his careful maintenance of the vehicle despite infrequent use. She recalled the moment when the car began to lose control, leading to the fatal crash, as confirmed by a forensic collision report detailing the incident.
The coroner noted that Gladman, a Formula One enthusiast with a rescue dog named Dobby, suffered severe traumatic injuries in the crash. While acknowledging the presence of a muddy verge near the accident site, the exact cause of the car leaving the road remained undetermined.
Ultimately, the coroner concluded that Gladman’s demise resulted from a road traffic collision, expressing condolences to his mother for the tragic loss of her son.
