A tragic incident has claimed the life of a former Aviva executive as his Aston Martin car crashed and caught fire after colliding with a tree near Wetherby, West Yorkshire. The deceased, identified as David Barral, 63, was driving a grey Aston Martin DBX SUV on the A58 Leeds Road between Bardsey and Collingham around 2 pm on Tuesday.
David Barral’s family expressed profound sorrow over his passing, describing him as a remarkable individual. The family’s statement mourned his loss and emphasized the impact he had on their lives, expressing love and admiration for him.
Following the crash, images from the scene revealed a significant emergency response presence at the site, with a fallen tree near a road bend. West Yorkshire Police confirmed the incident, releasing details of the collision and the victim’s identity. They urged any witnesses or individuals with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
David Barral had a distinguished career, serving in senior positions at Aviva Life and Pensions from 1999 to 2015, eventually becoming the CEO for the UK and Ireland in 2011. Throughout his 30-year career, he held notable roles at various organizations, including non-executive chairman positions at Virgin Wines and the Embark Group, and a senior independent director role at LV insurance. More recently, he worked as a strategic adviser at Harwood Capital.
West Yorkshire Police are actively seeking information related to the collision and have requested any dashcam or CCTV footage that could aid in their investigation. Those with relevant details are urged to contact the authorities promptly to contribute to the inquiry.
