The quiet community of Bardsey, West Yorkshire, is still reeling after the shocking death of former Aviva CEO David Barral, whose luxury Aston Martin DBX burst into flames along Leeds Road on Tuesday afternoon. What began as a bright, peaceful day turned into a scene of chaos and disbelief when Barral’s silver SUV veered off the road and slammed into a tree, erupting into a fireball just moments later.
Emergency services rushed to the scene shortly after 2 p.m., but despite their rapid response, the 63-year-old executive could not be saved. Witnesses described the explosion as “like something out of a movie,” with flames shooting high into the air and thick smoke visible from half a mile away.
In the aftermath, investigators — now confirmed to be led by West Yorkshire Police’s Major Collision Enquiry Team — have been working tirelessly to piece together the final moments before the crash. And now, in a development that could shed new light on the tragedy, police sources have confirmed that a crucial piece of evidence was recovered from the wreckage: a small electronic data module, believed to have survived the inferno.
While police have not disclosed specific details, experts suggest the device could contain valuable information about the car’s speed, throttle position, and braking pattern in the seconds before impact. “This could help us understand whether it was a mechanical fault, driver error, or something entirely different,” one investigator said under condition of anonymity.
Adding to the mystery, witnesses earlier told reporters that Barral appeared “distracted and emotional” when seen leaving a café in Wetherby less than an hour before the crash. One local described him as “walking alone, deep in thought, almost like he wasn’t really there.”
Police have confirmed they are also examining Barral’s mobile phone, which was found partially intact near the driver’s seat. According to early reports, the phone contained a draft voice message — believed to have been recorded moments before the collision — but authorities have not yet revealed its contents.
Tributes have poured in from former colleagues and friends, describing Barral as a “brilliant mind” and “a man of immense kindness.” A spokesperson for Aviva said: “David was not only a leader but a friend to many. His loss leaves a void that cannot be filled.”
As investigators continue to analyze the data module and forensic evidence, one heartbreaking truth remains: a respected businessman, husband, and father lost his life in circumstances that have left both family and community searching for answers.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the Aston Martin in the minutes before impact to come forward. For now, the Leeds Road fireball remains a tragic mystery — but perhaps, buried deep within the car’s shattered systems, lies the truth about what really happened that day.