Ex-PM David Cameron rushed to help after Benjamin gladman died in a Ferrari crash

A 31-year-old property developer was killed in a horrific Ferrari crash moments after revving the engine to impress his girlfriend, with former prime minister David Cameron among the first to rush to his aid.

Benjamin Gladman died when his Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale lost control and struck a tree near the village of Marlingford in Norfolk on 25 January. His girlfriend, Barbara Zart, who was in the passenger seat, survived the impact but sustained injuries.

The inquest heard that just seconds before the crash, Gladman had accelerated to let his girlfriend hear the roar of the supercar’s engine. What began as a light-hearted moment turned catastrophic in an instant.

Witnesses described hearing the distinctive sound of the Ferrari moments before it veered off the road. The coroner’s court was told that the car lost grip after its wheels hit a muddy verge, causing it to slide uncontrollably before crashing into a tree.

Emergency services were called immediately, but among the very first to arrive was David Cameron. The former prime minister, accompanied by his close protection officers, happened to be nearby and stopped to assist at the scene. Together, they provided help while awaiting emergency responders.

Despite their efforts, there was nothing that could be done to save Gladman. The impact had been devastating.

The inquest, held in Norfolk, revealed that Gladman, a well-known property developer, had been driving his Ferrari on a rural stretch of road when the crash occurred. There were no other vehicles involved.

Coroner’s reports confirmed that the conditions on the day were damp, and the road surface near the crash site was particularly treacherous. The combination of power, speed, and a slippery verge may have proved fatal.

In a quiet courtroom, the details of that night unfolded — a tragic mix of misjudgement and circumstance. The coroner noted that Gladman had not been under the influence of alcohol or drugs, nor was there any evidence of reckless intent. Instead, it was likely a tragic accident brought on by momentary loss of control.

Ms Zart, who survived the crash, was said to have been deeply traumatised by the incident. She described the seconds before the crash as “unbelievably fast” and recalled hearing the Ferrari’s engine “scream” before everything went black.

The court heard that Gladman had a passion for high-performance cars. Friends described him as a careful and capable driver who took pride in his vehicles. On that January afternoon, however, a seemingly harmless gesture — revving the engine for his partner — ended in disaster.

Paramedics and police officers arriving at the scene found the car severely damaged. Fire crews worked to make the vehicle safe as investigators tried to piece together what went wrong.

In his findings, the coroner recorded a verdict of death by road traffic collision. He stated that while driver behaviour contributed to the crash, environmental conditions, including a muddy verge, likely played a significant role.

“The evidence suggests the loss of control occurred as the vehicle’s tyres made contact with the verge, reducing traction,” the coroner said. “Mr Gladman’s death was a tragic result of that loss of grip.”

David Cameron, who had witnessed the aftermath, was praised for his quick response and willingness to help. Witnesses said the former prime minister remained calm and supportive as emergency services arrived.

Gladman’s death has left his family, friends, and partner devastated. Known in the local property scene as ambitious and driven, his life ended in a split second of tragedy that underscored the unforgiving nature of high-speed driving — even for those with experience behind the wheel.