Surveyor died in tragic Devon link road crash

Fatal collision involved a car and a van

16:00, 11 Jun 2025

A retired quantity surveyor from North Devon died in a crash on the link road near Barnstaple[1], an inquest has heard. Rupert de Gascoigne Pilkington was 78 years old and lived in Bolham near Tiverton[2].

He was killed in a collision between his car and a van on the A361 on May 19. The circumstances have been outlined by the coroner at an inquest opening.

The public hearing was told that Mr Pilkington was born in Ilfracombe[3] and was married.

On May 19 he was in a vehicle of the A361 which was involved in a collision with another vehicle.

The emergency services were called but he was sadly declared deceased at the scene. Cause of death has been established as multiple injuries.

Devon and Cornwall Police have previously confirmed the collision involved a VW Golf and a VW Crater panel van near to the Landkey junction. Police were called around 11.40am and the road was closed[4].

The van driver, a 51-year-old man from Exeter[5], suffered injuries not believed to be life-threatening and was taken to hospital by paramedics.

Police appealed for information from witnesses.

The full inquest was adjourned to a later date.

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References

1. ^ Barnstaple (www.devonlive.com)
2. ^ Tiverton (www.devonlive.com)
3. ^ Ilfracombe (www.devonlive.com)
4. ^ the road was closed (www.devonlive.com)
5. ^ Exeter (www.devonlive.com)
6. ^ Click here to join our WhatsApp grou (www.devonlive.com)
7. ^ you can read our Privacy Notice (www.reachplc.com)