Ex-Aviva CEO David Barral ‘distressed’ before dying in ‘fireball’ Aston Martin crash
David Barral, who held leadership roles at Aviva Life and Pensions, appeared ‘upset’ before he tragically passed away in a car crash, a Post Office worker who saw him claimed
David Barral died in a crash in West Yorkshire on Tuesday(Image: West Yorkshire Police)
Former Aviva CEO David Barral was “very upset” and “distressed” before he died in a “fireball” crash, it has been claimed.
The 63-year-old businessman, who was described as the “most wonderful man” by his heartbroken family, passed away after his Aston Martin car veered off the road and went up in flames after hitting a tree near Wetherby in West Yorkshire shortly after 2pm on Tuesday. Police are investigating the incident and are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.
Mr Barral’s family said in a statement: “We are all absolutely devastated at the loss of the most wonderful man. Rest in peace David we will all miss you so, so much and you will always fill our hearts. We love you.”
Mr Barral pictured with his wife Angela(Image: Facebook)
It is believed the businessman, who held leadership roles at Aviva Life and Pensions between 1999 and 2015, visited a Post Office a short distance from his family home in Scarcroft, near Leeds, shortly before the tragedy.
Shopkeeper Shazia Tariq told the Daily Mail that Mr Barral, who was a regular customer, had returned two boxes of designer Louis Vuitton boots bought for his wife Angela.
However, Ms Tariq said Mr Burral appeared upset when she last saw him. “He was such a nice man and I’ve known him for many years,” she said.
Ms Tariq claimed: “But that day he was very upset and distressed about something. He made conversation about returning these parcels. It was something that appeared to upset him.
“He emphasised how expensive they were. For a man who drives an Aston Martin, I was surprised by that. He normally had such positive vibes but I found him very lost that day. He mentioned that the parcels were Louis Vuitton boots and they were very expensive. He bought them for this wife and he just didn’t seem happy.”
She added that he appeared “in deep thoughts” as if he “was in a different place”. The shopkeeper described Mr Barral as “a really nice person” and said she was contacted by police after the tragic crash.
Images following the accident showed a large emergency service presence a the scene on the bend of a road and a fallen tree. A statement from West Yorkshire Police read: “Police investigating a fatal collision near Wetherby have released the name of the man who died and a tribute from his family. David Barral, 63, was driving a grey Aston Martin DBX SUV which was in collision with a tree on the A58 Leeds Road between Bardsey and Collingham at 2.05pm on Tuesday (14 October).
“David was sadly pronounced dead at the scene of the collision. Officers from the Major Collision Enquiry Team are appealing for anyone who saw the collision or the car’s movements in the time leading up to it to please contact them. They would particularly like to hear from anyone with relevant dashcam or CCTV footage.”
