David Roger Ivall (1973-2009), victim of car crash

David Roger Ivall is descended from David Ivall (1795-1850) via James Ivall (1832-96), Henry Thomas Ivall (1874-1956), Percy David Ivall (1912-47) and Graham Roger Ivall (1944-93).

He was born on 27 August 1973 in the Truro Registration District, the second of two children born to Graham Roger Ivall (1944-93) and his wife Janet. According to telephone directories, Graham lived at 23 Berry Rd, Newquay from 1980 to 1987.

David had two children, both of whom were born in the Truro Registration District. He moved to Barnsley in Yorkshire and worked as a milkman. He was listed in the 2004/5 Electoral Register as living at 40 Spring Street, Barnsley.

David moved back to Cornwall. He was a very good golfer (2 handicap) and played at the Perranporth Golf Club. He took part in the Cornwall Amateur Championships in April 2008.

The following item appeared in the online newspaper “This is Cornwall” on 19 January 2009.

“Police are appealing for witnesses, after a 35 year-old man died following a road crash in the early hours of Saturday morning. The Fraddon man, who has been named locally as David Ivall, was the sole occupant of a silver Peugeot 406, which overturned on the A30 eastbound carriageway near Summercourt. Emergency services were called to the scene and the man was taken to the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske, where he later died. No other vehicle was involved in the crash, which took place around 1.50am.”

Tributes left on the website included

“Top lad and golfer, he will be missed greatly”

“Dave was such an incredible guy, there's none like him! He was like a dad to me AND a best friend, he became a part of our family. He had so much planned with us that he was really looking forward to. We'll miss Dave soo much, he'll always be in our hearts.”

This item appeared on the Lasting Tribute web site :

IVALL. Tragically on Saturday, January 17th, 2009. David aged 35 years of Fraddon. Much loved Father of Ellie and Byron, beloved Son of Janet and the late Graham, Step-Son of Alan and dear Brother of Darren. Funeral service at the Trelawny Chapel, Penmount Crematorium on Friday, February 6th at 11.00 a.m. Family flowers only but donations in lieu for F.L.E.E.T. may be sent c/o The Funeral Director Andrew Henwood, 74 Edgcumbe Ave., Newquay. TR7 2NN.

The London Gazette dated 12 March 2009 contained a notice inviting anyone who had a claim against David’s estate to register it. David’s address is given as 34 Pedna Carne, Higher Fraddon, St Columb Major, Cornwall, TR9 6LF, his occupation as cleaning manager and date of death 17 January 2009.

An inquest was held in November 2009. The following report appeared in “This is Cornwall” : 

Death crash golfer was over limit

A PROMINENT golfer died after crashing his car while more than twice the drink-drive limit, an inquest heard. David Ivall, 35, from St Columb Major, was killed when his silver Peugeot 406 coupe overturned on the eastbound carriageway of the A30, near Summercourt. He was a well-known member of Perranporth Golf Club and a former member of Newquay Golf Club.

The court heard from Mr Ivalls' mother Janet Letcher, and his girlfriend Yasmin Carrol. Ms Letcher told the court: "10 years ago David moved to Barnsley with his partner and two children but the relationship did not last: He had to visit his children when he could. "David had been told he was going to lose his job at Tesco; but the only time I saw David down was when he wasn't able to see his children, and he was looking forward to seeing them at the time."

The victim's GP told the court David had no health problems but had requested a vasectomy fairly recently. His girlfriend of eight months said Mr Ivall had been due to meet her on the night of his death, but then made other plans. She last had contact with him at around 9.30pm.

Pal Russell Withers, a childhood friend, told how on the night of the tragedy the pair of them had been out drinking, first in Perranporth then later at Truro's L2 nightclub. He said Mr Ivall was expecting to lose his Tesco job as a cleaning manager but was 'upbeat' about events as he did not get on with his boss. Mr Withers told police his friend parked his coupe outside his home at around 10.15pm in anticipation of staying over after the night on the town. In the event he lost touch with him in L2 and found out on his return home from another friend staying at the house that Mr Ivall had apparently left in the early hours, sending him a text reading: 'Hey mate, see you soon, x.' He recalled: "I found this strange as he would not normally text me at the end of the night."

Delivery driver Craig Crosbie came across Mr Ivalls' overturned car in the left hand lane of the A30, just before Summercourt, in the early hours of January 17. Seeing Mr Ivall's body thrown clean of the car, he rang 999 and later helped paramedics lift the victim onto a stretcher. A group of friends from RNAS Culdrose also stopped and tried their best to help Mr Ivall.

Although apparently breathing when found, Mr Ivall died later at the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske of multiple injuries. A post-mortem examination found his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. Crash investigator Nick Bloomfield said the car's front brakes were worn, the driver's seatbelt was not attached, and Mr Ivall had sent texts from his phone at 1:43 and 1:45am. He explained: "The most probable cause of the collision is that he fell asleep at the wheel due to his inebriated state."

Coroner Dr Emma Carlyon recorded a verdict of accidental death. She said: "The pathologist concluded the drink-drive level would have significantly impaired cognitive function. Lack of sleep and intoxication and the use of a mobile phone are possible causes of loss of control. This was a tragic accident."

Mr Ivall's family chose not to comment after the hearing. In a statement they said: "David will be sadly missed by his two children, Ellie, 12, and Byron, 10, his mother Janet and brother Darren."