Tributes paid to Mid Devon man who died after ‘freak’ accident

Tributes have been paid to a man who died after sustaining severe burns in an accident at his home at Yeoford near Crediton, where he had been draining the tank of a vehicle following a small petrol leak.

During the incident, the fleece jacket and trousers Fred Saunders (84), was wearing became covered in fuel, and, it is understood, his clothes ignited through static electricity as he rubbed his hands on his clothing.

His partner, Sue Read, was fortunately at the scene and able to put out the flames and call the emergency services.

A fire crew from Crediton was called to the scene at about 7.30pm on Sunday, April 16.

Paramedics and an ambulance crew also attended.

Mr Saunders was treated at the scene before being taken by the Devon and Cornwall Police helicopter to Southmead Hospital at Bristol.

Mr Saunders sadly passed away, with his family at his side, at about 3pm on Monday, April 17.

Sue Read said that Fred had enjoyed a pleasant Sunday at Hatherleigh Auto-Jumble and watching the Grand Prix racing on television before he started working on his camper van.

She was full of praise for all those who had helped Fred, including the firefighters, paramedics, ambulance staff, police and the nurses at the hospital.

“Everyone was brilliant and they all deserve congratulations,” she said.

Fred’s daughter Marion Aubry told the “Crediton Courier”: “The treatment my father received was second-to-none.  I cannot praise the hospital staff enough.

“They ensured he was in no pain and were so caring and thoughtful.”

Chris Aubry, Marion’s husband, said: “Fred was the former landlord of the Mare and Foal pub in Yeoford, but had also been a sailor, pilot, farmer and even kept Shire horses.

“He was a former racing car driver competing in Formula 5000, Formula Vee and was Formula Vee Champion in 1969.

“He previously told me ‘I have had a really good life and done pretty much everything’.

Mr Saunders was also a deep sea welder and appeared on the television programme “Salvage Squad”, as an expert guiding competitors.

Mr Saunders leaves three children, Dave, Leslie and Marion, six grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

His funeral service, provisionally, will take place at Exeter and Devon Crematorium at 11.30am on Tuesday, May 2, and afterwards at the Mare and Foal, Yeoford.

Enquiries and confirmation of the funeral time will be available from LeRoy Funerals, 94-95 High Street, Crediton, telephone 01363 772326.

By Alan Quick