Family pay tribute to ‘loveable rogue’ charity co-founder who died in M11 crash

A family has paid tribute to a “loving husband, father, son and friend to many” who helped millions of people in Africa get access to safe drinking water.

Paul Searle, 62, was driving a yellow Ultima Can Am along a northbound slip road on the M11, just off from the A603, when the car left the road and crashed into a wooded area.

Emergency services attended, but Mr Searle, of Coles Lane, Oakington, died at the scene on Wednesday (July 6).

Mr Searle was co-founder of the Africa Trust charity, which helps to create sustainable solutions to poverty across the continent. This includes establishing sustainable supplies of clean water and decent sanitation.

In a statement, Mr Searle’s family said: “Paul was a loving husband, father, son and friend to many and will be sorely missed.

“He dedicated the last 20 years of his life to both spreading the word of the gospel and helping those in need. As a direct result of Paul’s charitable work over 2.77 million people in Africa now have access to safe drinking water and a further 16,000 are able to support themselves and their communities through the businesses he helped create.

“We are incredibly proud of his achievements and know his legacy will continue for generations through his charity, the Africa Trust.

“We’ll miss his booming laugh, smile and larger than life personality. He was needed in heaven but will forever be our loveable rogue.”

Mr Searle’s funeral will take place at 11am on Thursday, July 21, at St Andrews, Oakington.

For those that would like to make a contribution, the family have requested that all donations are made to the Africa Trust.

Officers are urging anyone who witnessed the collision, saw the vehicle in the moments leading up to it, or anyone who has relevant dashcam footage to get in touch.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact police via their webchat service quoting incident 347 of July 6.