A 30-year-old Shropshire man has died and another is seriously injured following a car crash in Spain. The accident happened on Sunday at 3.35pm on the A-2 motorway near Castellolí, Barcelona.
The man who died was today named by the Foreign Office as Nick Gretton, of Bridgnorth. The injured man who is in hospital in Barcelona has been named as Telford man Andy Bayliss-Kyte.
It is believed the two men had travelled to Spain on Sunday for a fishing trip as both are known as keen fishermen.
They were believed to be travelling in a British-registered car when the smash, which also involved another vehicle, happened.
A spokesman from the Foreign Office today confirmed that the man killed in the accident was Nick Gretton, from Bridgnorth.
A spokesman said: “We can confirm that a British national died in a car accident near Barcelona on Sunday May 11. The next of kin have been informed and we are providing consular assistance.”
The coroners officer for south Shropshire confirmed they had been informed of Mr Gretton’s death.
The two men had travelled to Spain to fish in a trip organised by Catmaster Tours.
Colin Bunn, who runs Catmaster Tours, said the men had been collected from the airport and were en route to their accommodation when the accident happened about 60kms from Barcelona.
He said: “We think an Audi, driven by a Spanish doctor, hit them in the back and threw them off the road.
“The car rolled several times and we think they were thrown from the car.”
Mr Bunn said he believed both men had been in the back of the car.
He said he had spoken to Mr Bayliss-Kyte yesterday. “I spoke to him and he has been crushed a little bit but he is comfortable.”
Tributes were today paid to Mr Gretton, who had been a member of Bridgnorth Angling Society since he was about 12 years old.
Chairman of Bridgnorth Angling Society, Brian Preece, said today Mr Gretton was a “gentle giant”.
Mr Preece said: “He was one of the nicest chaps you could meet on the river bank. He used to go on a lot of expeditions abroad. He recently went shark fishing to Namibia in South Africa.”
By Rachael Lowe
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19 Comments
I am deeply shocked by reading this article as Nick was well loved by friends and family, I am honoured to have known and worked with him at Western Wines x
I use to work with Nick, what I lovely man. So polite, harding working and a gentleman.
May angels watch over him.
God bless Nick
x
Sad news. Never knew Nick well but knew him to say hello. Know Andy well. Great bloke. Get well mate.
a big man with a big heart
I worked with Nick at Western Wines for 4 years and you could not have ever met someone that was so well liked by both his colleagues and friends. He was a caring, fun and patient person who always had a cheeky smile and joke. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him, it is a great loss and my thoughts are with his parents at this sad time.
“A bad day of fishing is better than a good day of work.”
I’m Really Upset to hear this news, I didn’t know Nick that well but I lived by him and went to same school as him and his brother. My thoughts are with his parents and Simon.
Shocked!, i dont think ill ever meet a warmed hearted person like nick again,you will be sadly missed mate. A great loss.
RIP brother of the angle.
I never knew you, but our hearts shared the same passion, therefore we knew each other well.
A great mate who will always be remembered, St George’s Day will never be the same. Our thoughts are with your family. Still can’t beleive you’ve gone, God bless you Nick.
I’m am still very shocked by this sad news, Nick was a lovely person and a great colleague. My thoughts are with his family at this time, Nick will be sadly missed.
A Tribute to our special Grandson.
He was the most caring and loving person from the day he was born, we have so many happy memories of him.
He always made time every week to visit for his tea and chocolate biscuits. He would talk for hours to his granddad about fishing.
We are so proud of him as a person and of the achievements he has made in his working life.
So cruelly taken from us so young, we shall miss him so much.
Love Nan and Grandad.
X X X
As Nicks holiday email always said-
“Gone Fishing”
God Bless Nick
go catch the fish of your dreams fella, you now have all the worlds waters below you to choose from. My next fish is for you mate, and we have never met.
Nick was one of the nicest guy’s anyone could wish to meet, a man with a big heart and a big circle of friends.
Nick was a very special man and a very dear friend to my husband who thought so much of him, as i know so did so many other people.
Nick will be mised so dearly by all as he was just such a special person.
God bless you Nick.
You will always be in our hearts and thoughts.
xxxxxxxxx
nick was just the nicest person who was always happy so shocked that he has gone god bless nick
A great loss to Nicks many friends and family. Quite simply a real gentleman. Lets hope there is a fishing Heaven and perhaps the odd database to sort out. We will all miss the big fella.
Really sorry to hear about this devistating news about nick. I only really knew him as si’s brother but he was always friendly, my thorts are with si and his family.
MY HEART AND SYMPATHY GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY OF NICK. I DIDN’T REALLY KNOW NICK PERSONALLY, I HAVE ONLY HEARD OF HIM, THROUGH LISTENING TO HIS FRIEND ANDY (MY STEP-SISTER’S HUSBAND, WHO WAS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT WITH HIM) I WISH ANDY A FULL RECOVERY AND HOPE HE RETURNS TO ENGLAND VERY SOON.
My deepest condolence to Nick’s family & friends. In the short time I worked with Nick I found him very intelligent, kind and a great guy to work with. He will greatly be missed.