A former newspaper photographer who spent 48 years snapping some of the biggest names in news, sport and royalty has died after being hit by a police vehicle.

Trevor Bartlett, who spent his entire career at the Nottingham Evening Post, was killed while walking home after enjoying a couple of beers with friends at his local pub in Beeston on Tuesday night.  He was 80.

Current Post editor, Natalie Fahy broke the news in a series of posts on social media platform ‘X’, where she also called on the local police chief to provide answers on how the tragedy could have happened.

Trevor’s death is the second to have involved a police vehicle in recent weeks, while a further incident saw a local hairdressing salon destroyed.

Police have confirmed the van was transporting a suspect into custody when it collided with a pedestrian, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

In line with standard procedure, Nottinghamshire Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), the police watchdog.

Natalie posted: “Horrible news. No journalist wants to write about the untimely death of one of their former colleagues. RIP Trevor Bartlett. You will never be forgotten.”

She also referenced a series of articles on the newspaper’s associated website, Nottinghamshire Live, which included a full news and tributes piece, along with an obituary.

Trevor began working at the Nottingham Evening Post as a 15-year-old copy boy, leaving school on a Friday and starting at the paper the following Monday.

He went on to become the youngest press photographer in the Midlands at the age of 17, working at the paper for 45 years and picturing thousands of locals, royalty, politicians, pop stars and sports stars – while also becoming firm friends with former Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough.

Trevor, who retired at the age of 62, flew around the continent capturing memorable images of Clough’s European Cup-winning side, as well as many home games at the Forest ground.

Aside from sport, he pictured the Queen Mother, striking miners, and firemen toiling to contain the wreckage of the Kegworth air disaster on the M1.

In his obituary piece, content editor Jamie Barlow revealed how his all-time favourite picture, taken with the Nikon he used in the pre-digital era, showed Peter Shilton kissing the European Cup which Forest had just won for the second time, in 1980.

Jamie wrote: “He lived a fan’s dream – and his work documenting Nottingham Forest leaves a lasting legacy.

“There were hiccups along the way and the photos from the first European Cup final, which graced the cover of the paper the following morning, very nearly didn’t happen.

“The company had fallen out with Mr Clough and, without a pass, Trevor had to use all his wit to sneak into the ground via a British Army Band, telling a security guard he played the trombone.

“Fortunately, the relationships were patched up and Trevor spent 48 great years at the Evening Post, becoming a personal friend of Mr Clough.”

Trevor leaves behind his wife of 59 years, Sandra, and two sons, Robert and Peter.