An elderly Kidderminster man who died when his car hit a tree had been the owner of a long-running Black Country haulage firm.

Tributes were today paid to 86-year-old Jack Male, with his family describing his as a “proud man”.

Mr Male, of Low Habberley, suffered serious injuries when his blue Toyota Yaris collided with a tree and railings on the A449 dual carriageway in Hartlebury on Tuesday. He was airlifted to Worcestershire Royal Hospital where he later died.

His wife, 75-year-old Doreen, was a passenger in the car at the time and remains in critical condition at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Mr Male’s family today confirmed he had been the owner and managing director of Male & Son (Pensnett) Limited. He was the owner of the family business until 2002. At its height the firm had a fleet of 200 trucks and employed hundreds of staff.

Mr Male, who was a great grandfather, also served as the National Chairman of the Road Haulage Association in the 1970s.

Mr Male’s son David, 62, today said the family had been contacted by hauliers from all over the country paying their respects.

He said: “Dad was a proud man and through the company and being national chairman of the Road Haulage Association, was very well known in the area.

“We have had calls from all over from people wishing to pay their respects.”

An inquest was opened and adjourned yesterday  at Stourport Coroners Court by Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams.

Police are still investigating the crash and are appealing for witnesses.