Eastbourne Tesco car park death: Tributes to mum Clair Coope

Clair Coope was killed when she was dragged under a vehicle at the supermarket in Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne.

The mother-of-two was a much-loved aunt, friend and work colleague.

Shoppers reacted in horror as she became trapped under a Volkswagen Transporter van driven by Neil Manser, 60.

Mrs Coope later died from her injuries, she was 45-years-old.

At Lewes Crown Court Manser admitted causing death by careless driving and was given a six-month suspended sentence.

Mrs Coope’s husband Joe issued a moving statement in his wife’s memory after the tragedy on December 12, 2019.

He said: “This time last year my life changed forever.

“Police turned up at my workplace to tell me that Clair had been in a serious road traffic incident.

“It has been devastating to me, my children, and the rest of our family and friends. I have struggled to come to terms with what happened.

“Clair was my best friend and the love of my life for 24 years. I have found it difficult sleeping in a bed that feels so empty. I occasionally wake up, thinking it might be a bad dream.

“We have two amazing children together, and that gives me the reason to get on. They are a credit to the love and care she gave them.”

Mrs Coope, of Framfield Way, Eastbourne, worked as a nursery school operations manager.

Clair Coope was killed in the incident

At the time of her death, Bluebell Nurseries said: "Our much-loved operations manager Clair Coope sadly and unexpectedly passed away in December 2019.

"Clair was not just a colleague but a dear and much loved friend to all of us. She was unfailingly dedicated to her role, and supportive of all of us.

"During her career she worked as a teaching assistant, then NVQ assessor and nursery manager. In April 2005 Clair helped set up Bluebell Children’s Nurseries and was appointed operations manager, making all of the nurseries a huge success.

"Clair touched the lives of countless people, including friends, colleagues, children and families.

"Clair will always be respected and admired for her enduring commitment and outstanding contribution to Bluebell and everyone who worked with her. We recognise what a wonderful person she was and her love and dedication will continue to live on."

Mrs Coope was also a keen supporter of charities. She raised more than £2,400 for St Wilfred's Hospice in 2018 by organising a charity obstacle run.

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Her mum Jackie Pretty also gave a moving statement, describing the “huge and traumatic” impact of her daughter’s death

She said: “Clair was the vital force of the family, my rock, a woman who held the family together through thick and thin.

“She had such patience and kindness for everyone, we all loved her.

“It is devastating for her children to see them grow up without their mum. I miss that my daughter will not be around to see how amazing her own children have become.

“You don’t expect your children to die before you, certainly not in that way. She was needlessly taken from us.”

The incident happened at the Tesco store in Lottbridge Drove, Eastbourne

Mr Coope said his wife would regularly look after her brother’s children. He said: “I don’t think they can understand why someone they adored has just disappeared from their lives.

“I always imagined we would grow old and grey together. I am grateful for the years we had together, but a part of me died that day. I will never be the same.

“I find solace in the fact that what we had together, many people spend their whole lives trying to find without success. Our last words to each other were ‘I love you’.”