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A former regional daily reporter who joined the rescue effort at an horrific plane crash after being the first journalist on the scene has died at the age of 63.Jim McPheator, left, was working for the Leicester Mercury at the time of the 1989 M1 plane crash at Kegworth and as well as reporting on the tragedy, he also helped rescuers lift survivors out of the wreckage.
He worked for the Mercury for 37 years in reporting roles and as deputy news editor, from 1969 until his retirement in 2007.
Jim has died from the lung condition fibrosis and leaves his wife of 42 years Janet, along with sons Craig and Glyn, daughter Alison and three granddaughters.
Richard Bettsworth, the Mercury’s deputy editor, said: “Everybody at the Leicester Mercury is saddened at Jim’s death and our sympathies go to his family.
“He was a key member of the team over many years and he will be missed both as a colleague and friend. He loved the job of journalism and always wanted to make every story as well told as possible.
“He was a kind and considerate man, who was both thoroughly professional and a gentleman.”
Jim started his career in journalism in 1963 as a cub reporter on the Coalville Times newspaper, before spending time in public relations at Granby Publicity then working as a reporter on the Loughborough Monitor.
He joined the Leicester Mercury as a reporter in 1969, becoming the Loughborough district reporter in 1971.
Jim then became the deputy news editor in 1979, a position he held until 1999 when he became the Loughborough district reporter again and in 2002 became the North West Leicestershire reporter, based in Coalville.
During his time at the Mercury, he covered Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Coventry in 1982 and interviewed people ranging from former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to comedian Les Dawson.
Former colleague and close friend Harry Martin said: “Jim was a journalist in that time-honoured tradition of ‘tell it how it is’.
“It was a privilege to work with him and enjoy the cheerful company of a steadfastly true friend for 35 years.”
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How very sad. People like Jim are a fantastic asset to the local press, and when I was at the Merc his local knowledge and experience were invaluable.
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Also worked with Jim at the Mercury – great colleague and great friend with a real love and feel for “his patch”.
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A lovely fella, Jim was one of the good guys, always looking out for the reporters he worked with and looking to get the best out of them. I worked with him for the best part of six years and he just lived for the Mercury and the job. Very sad to hear of his passing
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Really saddened to read this news. I spent many years in the Merc’s Loughborough and Coalville offices when Jim was on the newsdesk. He had a great sense of humour and knew how to put together a good story and had an extensive knowledge of the area.
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I worked closely with Jim at the Merc for 12 years and he was one of life’s nice guys. I’m really saddened by this news.
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Deeply saddened by the news. Jim and I did our NCTJ course together (day release of course at that time) at Clarendon College, Nottingham and enjoyed some good times.
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Once I missed an early shift on The Mercury after too many ales the night before. Jim rang me and said “Do you mind if we start without you Anthony” A great wit and a great ‘old school’ journo. RIP mate
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Jim was a grand bloke and a real old school, salt of the earth journalist and newsdesk man. He had a great rapport with the team and he never lost his cool even amid the biggest breaking news drama. Well loved and admired by us hacks, Jim had a catchphrase all of his own – “Bloody good story”. He was Leicester Mercury through and through, knew the patch and everyone on it like the back of his hand and was steeped in all that’s best about regional newspapers. Rest in peace, Jim mate, we won’t see your like again. Red Williams
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My ex (Mark Dorman) worked with Jim and I enjoyed many an after work pint with him over in the Vic. A lovely, lovely man, and I’m very sad to hear of his passing. Thoughts are with his family and friends
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