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Text message boss killed in crash Text message boss killed in crash
(about 7 hours later)
The former boss of a no-win no-fee compensation firm which told its 2,500 staff by text they would not be paid has been killed in a car crash.The former boss of a no-win no-fee compensation firm which told its 2,500 staff by text they would not be paid has been killed in a car crash.
Mark Langford, 43, from Cheshire, fled to the continent after Manchester-based The Accident Group (TAG) collapsed with debts of £100m in May 2003.Mark Langford, 43, from Cheshire, fled to the continent after Manchester-based The Accident Group (TAG) collapsed with debts of £100m in May 2003.
Mr Langford's car was involved in an accident in Marbella, Spain, on Monday night, the Foreign Office said.Mr Langford's car was involved in an accident in Marbella, Spain, on Monday night, the Foreign Office said.
He was being sought by HM Revenue and Customs for £4.1m in unpaid tax.He was being sought by HM Revenue and Customs for £4.1m in unpaid tax.
A Spanish Police official said Mr Langford was driving an Opel Corsa along the A7 highway near Marbella when he lost control of the vehicle.A Spanish Police official said Mr Langford was driving an Opel Corsa along the A7 highway near Marbella when he lost control of the vehicle.
No other car was involved and Mr Langford was travelling alone.No other car was involved and Mr Langford was travelling alone.
Crash investigationCrash investigation
He was taken to Costa del Sol Hospital where he later died.He was taken to Costa del Sol Hospital where he later died.
Police said there was no alcohol in Mr Langford's system at the time of the collision and the cause of the crash is under investigation.Police said there was no alcohol in Mr Langford's system at the time of the collision and the cause of the crash is under investigation.
TAG helped develop the "no win, no fee" system in the UK and became the UK's biggest injury claims specialist at one stage, with offices in Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool.TAG helped develop the "no win, no fee" system in the UK and became the UK's biggest injury claims specialist at one stage, with offices in Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool.
The firm listed profits of £17m in 2002, just a year before its collapse.The firm listed profits of £17m in 2002, just a year before its collapse.
Mr Langford famously informed TAG staff that they were out of a job in a text message which read: "Urgent. Unfortunately salaries not paid. Please do not contact office. Full details to follow later...."Mr Langford famously informed TAG staff that they were out of a job in a text message which read: "Urgent. Unfortunately salaries not paid. Please do not contact office. Full details to follow later...."
In March, a bankruptcy petition hearing against Mr Langford was adjourned at London's High Court. It was due to resume on 1 May.In March, a bankruptcy petition hearing against Mr Langford was adjourned at London's High Court. It was due to resume on 1 May.
In addition, The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was seeking to disqualify Mr Langford as a director.In addition, The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) was seeking to disqualify Mr Langford as a director.
The story of TAG's collapse The story of TAG's collapse class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6543375.stm">Profile: Mark Langford
His wife Deborah was also included in the DTI action. Three other former directors are already disqualified.His wife Deborah was also included in the DTI action. Three other former directors are already disqualified.
Trade unions used the "text incident" incident to press for stronger employment laws in the UK. Trade unions used the "text incident" to press for stronger employment laws in the UK.
Trade union worker Alec McFadden, who represented the interests of sacked workers in the TAG liquidation, described Mr Langford's death as "a sad end".Trade union worker Alec McFadden, who represented the interests of sacked workers in the TAG liquidation, described Mr Langford's death as "a sad end".
He said: "As a human being, I am sad that a man has died, but it's right to say that the people I represent had their lives turned upside down by the actions of a company that Mark Langford was in charge of.He said: "As a human being, I am sad that a man has died, but it's right to say that the people I represent had their lives turned upside down by the actions of a company that Mark Langford was in charge of.
"Some of them ended up in poverty, others ended up getting divorced, some have never really managed to get another reasonable job."Some of them ended up in poverty, others ended up getting divorced, some have never really managed to get another reasonable job.
"It's a sad situation for everyone, and a sad end to the life of a man who did have a damaging effect on the lives of thousands of people.""It's a sad situation for everyone, and a sad end to the life of a man who did have a damaging effect on the lives of thousands of people."
In 2000, William Thornley, 73, died when he was knocked down by Mr Langford's Ferrari near Manchester United's Old Trafford ground.In 2000, William Thornley, 73, died when he was knocked down by Mr Langford's Ferrari near Manchester United's Old Trafford ground.
Mr Langford was fined £1,000 after being found guilty of careless driving but was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.Mr Langford was fined £1,000 after being found guilty of careless driving but was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving.
He was earlier banned for 22 months for drink-driving and had only had his licence returned to him six months before the fatal crash.He was earlier banned for 22 months for drink-driving and had only had his licence returned to him six months before the fatal crash.