Former Scots Aviva boss killed after car crashes into tree near Leeds

A Scottish man who was the former CEO of Aviva has died after his car collided with a tree in West Yorkshire.

Emergency services were called to the A58 Leeds Road between Bardsey and Collingham at 2.05pm on Tuesday after a grey Aston Martin DBX SUV crashed into a tree.

David Barral, who was born in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 63-year-old’s family have described him as a “wonderful man”.

“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 was chief executive of Aviva UK & Ireland until 2015, and held a number of senior roles at the insurer, including chief operating officer and chair of its UK life and pensions board.

Officers from the Major Collision Enquiry Team are appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision or the car’s movements in the lead-up to it to contact them.

They would particularly like to hear from anyone with relevant dashcam or CCTV footage.

You can contact West Yorkshire Police online at https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/LiveChat or by calling 101 quoting reference 13250591258.