Tree-crush victim was father-of-two

Mar 22 2007 By Anna Jeys, Birmingham Mail

A DRIVER crushed to death when a tree fell on his pick-up truck has been named as a local businessman.

Neil Curtiss, aged 47, was killed as he was travelling along Old Warwick Road, in Lapworth, near Solihull, at 8.15am on Monday.

Fire crews and paramedics found the silver Isuzu pick-up crushed under the weight of the tree near The Old Tanhouse pub.

Warwickshire Police today said Mr Curtiss was a "well-respected local businessman" who left behind a wife and two teenage children".

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned yesterday and a post-mortem examination due to be carried out today.

A statement from Warwickshire Police said it was believed the tree had developed root rot which had made it unstable.

A spokeswoman for Warwickshire Police said: "Mr Curtiss has been described as a well-known, well-liked and well-respected local businessman.

"He was the owner of the Curtiss Wood Yard, on Old Warwick Road, Lapworth, and has a long family association with the area."