Wife appeals for information on her husband's death on M74

Jun 11 2009 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

THE heartbroken wife of a dad-of-two killed in a horror M74 smash has made an appeal for the public to come forward with information.

Sandra Fleeman this week paid an emotional tribute to her husband Mark, who died after his van overturned on the motorway between Larkhall and Hamilton last Thursday at 4.35am.

Detectives probing the crash said it was more than a tragic incident and are treating it as a “potential homicide”.

Mark, who was a Birmingham City season ticket holder, leaves daughters Laura, 11, and Georgia, six, and stepchildren Lisa, Shaun, Sharon and Paul.

Sandra spoke of her shock at her husband’s death and described the football fanatic as a “character” with a keen sense of humour.

She said: “Mark was known as ‘Flee’ and was a very hard-working man.

“He will be remembered fondly by his many friends and all his work colleagues.

“He had a keen sense of humour. You could always rely on Mark for a laugh at any party.

“His Elvis Presley impersonations were hilarious and he had people in stitches.

“He was also well known for his Roy ’Chubby’ Brown dancing. That always made people smile.”

She added: “Mark worked hard and played hard and will be sorely missed by a great many people.

“He has left a huge gap in so many lives which can never be filled."

Shop fitter Mark, of Windsor Road, Uttoxeter, died while he was driving to work.

His white van was heading north on the inside lane of the motorway when it overturned at around 4.35am.

It is not known whether he was forced off the road by another vehicle or lost control while taking evasive action.

Police are not ruling out a road rage attack.

The 32-year-old died at the scene and his passenger, college student Lee Allsup (17), also from Uttoxeter, suffered serious injuries.

He remains in hospital and doctors say his condition has changed from critical to stable.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Thomson, head of South Lanarkshire CID, said: “Initial enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mark Fleeman and the serious injuries sustained by Lee Allsup indicate that this may be more than a tragic accident.

“I am appealing to anyone who was driving on the M74 on Thursday morning between 0355 and 0500 hours to come forward if they saw a white van and a darker-coloured van, driving at speed, close together, on the northbound carriageway.”

He added: “The stretch of motorway which is of particular significance is the northbound carriageway between Lockerbie and the area after the Larkhall on-ramp but before the Hamilton slip road, (between junctions 7 and 6). It is vital that people who may have seen these vehicles on that stretch of road come forward.

“The precise circumstances which led to Mr Fleeman’s death and the injuries sustained by Mr Allsup have not yet been established.

“However, this is being investigated as a potential homicide.”

An incident room has been set up in Larkhall Police Office.

Anyone with information should call 01698 202326 or alternative call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.