Lord Tarsem King dies suddenly at 75
[gallery] Lord Tarsem King, a former mayor and leader of Sandwell Council, has died suddenly after collapsing at a London railway station.
The 75-year-old from West Bromwich was heading back to the Midlands from the House of Lords when he collapsed at Euston station.
He died at a London hospital last night of a suspected heart attack.
Lord King leaves his wife Mohinder, son Raj, daughter-in-law Nishpal and two grandchildren, aged seven and four.
Lord King, of Roebuck Lane, West Bromwich who was Britain's first Sikh Bar-on, was born in India and moved to the UK aged 23.
The Honorary Freeman of Sandwell served as a Labour councillor for more than 25 years and went on to become leader of the council. He was made a life peer in 1999.
Relatives today said they had been left devastated by his sudden death.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Lord King's niece Rashpal Kaur said: "We are all still in shock at the moment. It happened so suddenly. His entire family is distraught at his death.
"He was so well-known to the Sandwell community we just want people to know what has happened."
Lord King was taken to hospital after collapsing at Euston station yesterday afternoon.
Sandwell councillor and Lord King's friend Mahboob Hussain described him as an "exceptionally hard worker" who had been involved in politics for 40 years.
"He was very active locally and will be remembered as one of the best. Despite his age he would travel to the House of Lords every day. I got to know him when I became a councillor, and we became goods friend, and he was always there to give advice," he added.
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