London Symphony Orchestra’s principal trumpet dies in car crash

Rod Franks, principal trumpet of the London Symphony Orchestra, has been killed in a car crash.

Franks was returning home from watching golf’s Open Championship at Hoylake in Liverpool when the car in which he was a passenger was involved in a multi-vehicle pile-up on the motorway in Nottinghamshire. The driver, a friend of the family, survived.

The LSO, Classic FM’s orchestra in the City of London, said in a statement: “Rod had excelled in the role of Principal Trumpet of the LSO for 25 years and had recently requested to retire from that seat and occupy the No. 3 Trumpet chair.

“Rod had been beset by health issues for over 10 years but would never allow them to compromise his professionalism. This is a very sad day for the LSO and Rod will be missed hugely for his ever-welcoming friendliness and brilliant playing.”