Tim Corby, 63, owner of Ranway Stud, in Titchmarsh, was in a Silver Mercedes with Mr Channon, now a top racing horse trainer, and his son Jack, when the vehicle left the motorway and collided with a concrete pillar.

Mr Corby was confirmed dead at the scene of the crash, on the southbound carriageway at junction 24, and Mr Channon and his son were taken to hospital on Wednesday.

The trio are believed to have been on their way back to Mr Channon's Berkshire home from the Doncaster Sales.

Mr Channon, 59, suffered broken ribs, a broken arm, a fractured jaw and a punctured lung.

Tirbutes have been paid to Mr Corby from people in the village.

Joan Wood, 88, who had known Mr Corby since he was a child, said: "It's such a shock and terrible news.

"We were friends and used to ride ponies and go on the hunt together.

"I used to breed horses and he would regularly come down here to see me, for a while some of his horses were also at my stables.

"I know he had moved away because of his business and I hadn't seen him for a while."

Mr Corby, 63, still owned a house in Titchmarsh but was living in Newbury, Berkshire.

Mr Channon's other son Michael Channon said: "We have been petrified and worried and absolutely out of our wits worrying about our family - but as for the Corbys, our hearts really go out to them. "

Full report in Friday's Evening in Telegraph.
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