Tributes have been paid to an ‘inspirational dad and loving husband’ whose car crashed into a stone wall.

Brian Westwell, 81, is believed to have suffered a heart attack at the wheel as he was driving along Union Road in Oswaldtwistle.

He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital following the incident on Wednesday, April 20 but was pronounced dead later the same day.

His funeral was due to take place on Thursday, April 28.

His son Simon Westwell, 54, said his death came as a ‘great shock to everybody’ and he will be a ‘huge loss’.

He told the Observer: “As far as we understand he had a fatal heart attack at the wheel while driving and as far as we are led to believe he has probably died before he hit the wall.

“I got a call from work and shot to hospital totally unaware of what had gone on and I only realised the seriousness of the situation when I arrived. It came as a great shock to us all.

“They are very sad circumstances and he is a great loss.

“He was everybody’s friend and loved life. He had struggled the last three or four years health wise and couldn’t get out and about.

“He loved his sport, especially football. In his early days and when we were kids growing up we were Burnley fans, but not recently.

“He put people at ease and took a great interest in them.

“He was a loving husband, an inspiration dad, a devoted granddad and everybody’s friend.”

Floral tributes left at the scene

Brian, of Rushes Farm Close, Oswaldtwistle, was born in Hapton and lived in Oswaldtwistle for 50 years.

He worked for 23 years as an export manager in Burnley and Blackburn and leaves wife Kathleen, sons Simon and Nick, daughter-in-law Colette and granddaughter Laura.

Simon, from Oswaldtwistle, who previously played professional football for Accrington Stanley and Preston North End, has praised the response from emergency services and passers-by.

He said: “I have seen the CCTV and there was a bus driver, passers-by, paramedics, police and then later hospital staff there. They were first class and we can’t thank them enough really.

“The police and the police liaison officer have supported us right throughout and have been fantastic.”

Police and paramedics were called to Union Road at 9.35am on April 20 to reports Mr Westwell had suffered a ‘medical episode’.

The road was closed for more than two-and-a-half hours while officers conducted an examination of the scene.

Senior Investigating Officer, Sergeant Mick Young, said: “This is a very sad incident in which a man has lost his life.”

Brian’s funeral service, conducted by the Rev John Holland, was due to be held at 1pm on Thursday, April 28 at Oswaldtwistle Immanuel. This will be followed by burial in Immanuel Churchyard.

No flowers requested with donations to North West Air Ambulance.

Funeral director: Hyndburn Funeral Services.