Tributes have been paid to a former president of the Royal Cornwall Show – a former Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall – following his death in a car accident in Cornwall.
Lt Commander Jeremy Tetley RN (Retired), 82, from the Grampound area near Truro, was one of two people killed while travelling in a silver BMW estate when it collided with a white tipper truck shortly before 1pm at Treluswell, near Penryn, on Wednesday.
Current show secretary Chris Riddle said: "We are aware of this tragic accident. It has come as a shock to everybody who is associated with the show and with the Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association. Everybody's thoughts are with his family at a very upsetting time."
Lt Cdr Tetley was also a former pilot and batsman on aircraft carriers in the Fleet Air Arm, who had been a training officer at RNAS Culdrose in Helston, and had been involved in agriculture for almost 50 years.
An active member of the Royal Cornwall Show committee, he became president in 2001 at the height of the foot and mouth crisis.
He was appointed High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1976 and subsequently appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant in 1977.
A keen sailor, he was a member of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club and had been the oldest skipper to take part in the legendary 2,500-mile Azores and Back race in 2007, in his Swan 36, Carte Blanche a challenge he first completed in 1979.
An enthusiast of classic cars, planes, steam locomotives and boats, he was also elected to the RNLI Management Committee in 1967 and became a Life Vice-President in 1978.
He leaves behind his wife, Mor, three children, ten grandchildren and many family members and friends.
As a training officer at Linton on Ouse and Culdrose, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander before retiring from the Fleet Air Arm in 1964.
The 82-year-old had been involved in agriculture on his own farm near Truro, as well as with the Country Land and Business Association and Royal Cornwall Show Committee.
Mr Tetley was killed alongside 61-year-old Bridget Toy, from Penryn, whose husband called her the "love of his life".
A 65-year-old man from Penryn, who was also travelling in the car, was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the white Fiat Ducato truck, 22, from Penzance, suffered minor injuries and was treated on the scene by paramedics. Police are appealing for witnesses.
