‘Kind and friendly’ dad-of-two dies after Okehampton crash

He was the second person tragically to pass away

13:47, 08 Jun 2026Updated 14:09, 08 Jun 2026

Chris Daniel(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police )

A delivery driver who died after a multi-vehicle crash in Devon has been described as having a "kind and friendly nature" by his family.

Chris Daniel, from Bude, died in Derriford Hospital on May 21 after a crash on the A386 near Okehampton[1] on Tuesday, May 19.

Mr Daniel was the second person to die in connection to that crash, with the driver of a BMW, a 33-year-old from the Okehampton area, dying at the scene[2].

Issuing a tribute via the police, the family of the 74-year-old father-of-two said he was "well-known by many" and will be remembered for his "kind and friendly nature and helpful character".

In a statement, his family said: "We are devastated by the loss of our Dad, Chris Daniel, who has died as the result of a traffic collision. Dad passed away on Thursday 21 May after fighting for his life at Derriford ICU, Plymouth[3]. Our Dad started his career as a postman for Royal Mail in Holsworthy in the 1970s.

"After becoming the delivery office manager for many years, he later retired from Royal Mail but continued to work for other delivery services, delivering parcels in the local community.

Dad was working on the day of the collision at the age of 74 years old.

"Over the years, he delivered along many routes within the local area of Holsworthy, Bude, Bideford[4], Torrington and many other areas in Cornwall and Devon. Recently delivering in Hartland, Abbotsham and Clovelly. He was well-known by many and will be remembered for his kind and friendly nature and helpful character whilst carrying out his work.

"As a family we would like to thank everyone involved in trying to save him.

Hatherleigh Fire Service, Devon and Cornwall Police, the paramedic team and Devon Air Ambulance. We have also been told that members of the public stopped to help. We are deeply grateful to all of you.

"We would especially like to thank the staff at Derriford ICU for the outstanding kindness, care and compassion they gave to both Dad and our family, and for helping us to say goodbye to him with love and dignity.

"Chris was tragically taken from us under the saddest of circumstances, leaving behind his daughter, Carla, his son Ricky and his four young grandsons.

He was loved so dearly, he will be deeply missed and remembered so fondly by all who knew him."

Chris Daniel(Image: Devon and Cornwall Police )

Emergency services were called to the scene of a crash between a Ford[5] Transit, BMW estate, and a Citroen Relay Luton van.

The 33-year-old driver of the BMW, from the Okehampton area, was pronounced dead at the scene.[6]

The driver of the Citroen van was uninjured, police said.

Officers are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has dashcam footage is asked to contact the force quoting the reference 397 of 19/5/26.

References

1. ^ Okehampton (www.devonlive.com)
2. ^ a 33-year-old from the Okehampton area, dying at the scene (www.devonlive.com)
3. ^ Plymouth (www.devonlive.com)
4. ^ Bideford (www.devonlive.com)
5. ^ Ford (www.devonlive.com)
6. ^ 33-year-old driver of the BMW, from the Okehampton area, was pronounced dead at the scene. (www.devonlive.com)