RAF station commander from Beaconsfield dies in collision (From This Is Local London)

RAF station commander Tom Barrett, from Beaconsfield, dies in collision

4:39pm Friday 11th March 2011 in Where I Live By Lawrence Dunhill

A CYCLIST who died after a road collision with a van is understood to be an RAF station commander from Beaconsfield.

RAF Northolt has announced the death of Group Captain Tom Barrett, who died in hospital after the incident on the A40 in Hillingdon yesterday evening.

Married with two young daughters, Group Captain Barrett, 44, was involved in a collision with a white transit van opposite the RAF Northolt base at about 5pm.

His family, understood to live in Beaconsfield, have been informed, but formal identification and a post-mortem are yet to take place.

He was pronounced dead at St Mary's Hospital, Paddington, at 9.20pm last night.

The male driver of the van stopped at the scene and has not been arrested, police said.

Colleague Air Vice Marshal Phil Osborn said: “Group Captain Barrett was a much loved and respected officer by all with whom he came into contact. Our sympathies are with his family at this difficult time.”

Wing Commander Jules Stilwell said: “Tom was an extraordinary person. We were privileged to have had him as our station commander and the Royal Air Force is a poorer place without him.”