Shropshire lay-by death driver was Welsh athletics chief
A woman found dead in her car on a Shropshire road was the president of Welsh Athletics, it has been revealed.
The body of Sue Sayer was found at the wheel in a lay-by near Onibury, between Ludlow and Craven Arms, on Sunday night.
The A49 around Onibury was closed into the early hours of Monday, with traffic diverted around the trunk road between Bromfield and Craven Arms.
Mrs Sayer, 68, had been driving through the county, returning from Cardiff to her home in Buckley, Flintshire, when it is thought she became ill at the wheel and pulled into the lay-by.
A passer-by who saw her car alerted police at about 8.30pm and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Hours earlier she had been attending an indoor international athletics event in the Welsh capital, where she was presented with a bouquet of flowers.
Mrs Sayer leaves her husband Ivor, himself an official race starter, and children Richard and Caroline, who are also involved in athletics.
She was one of the best-known figures in the world of Welsh athletics. The former teacher was also chairman of Deeside Athletics Club, chairman of the North Wales regional council and, until recently, secretary of the Welsh track and field committee.
Matt Newman, Welsh Athletics chief executive officer, said: "Sue Sayer was a true unsung hero of athletics in Wales.
"Sue showed an unbelievable commitment and dedication to her club, the North Wales region and to athletics at a national and international level.
"Her contribution was immense and she will be missed by everyone within the wider athletics family."
The secretary of Deeside AAC Denise Harris said the news had come as a huge shock, although Mrs Sayer had not been in the best of health in recent years.
"I had known Sue for about 30 years since she first brought her daughter Caroline to the club as a youngster," she said.
"She started helping and became more involved as a team manager and eventually as chairperson."
Gareth Hughes, vice-chairman of the North Wales regional council, added:
"She made a massive contribution to the sport over many years, which was recognised by her election as president."
