Family Tribute To New Forest Crash Death Victim

5 June 2014, 16:09

Police have named a man who died after crashing into trees on the A337, Milford Road, at Everton on Thursday, May 29.

29-year-old Vasta Odedra was pronounced dead at the scene.
 
Mr Odedra’s wife Shanti has released the following tribute on behalf of his family:

“Vasta Odedra, 29, has tragically suffered a fatal car accident.
 
“The postmaster at the Lymington Post Office had only recently moved into the area with his loving wife and had lived in the area for less than 2 months with big aspirations of setting up his own business.
 
“His dream had been to run his own Post Office and he had finally managed to realise his dream, however in the early hours of the 29th May 2014, he was taken away from us from his trip back home after meeting friends in London.
 
“He was a kind a friendly person and made friends wherever he went. He was loved by family and friends and he will be sorely missed after having only been with us so briefly.”
 
Officers from Totton Roads Policing Unit say they are still keen to hear from anyone who may have stopped at the scene or drove past following the collision.

The Post Office has also issued a statement:

"Post Office Ltd would like to offer its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Vasta Odedra, operator of Lymington Post Office, who was tragically killed in a road traffic accident in Lymington on Thursday 29 May.

"Staff have rallied round to keep open the busy branch on the High Street in Lymington.

"Mr Odedra and his wife Santi took on Lymington Post Office on March 7 this year. He had exciting plans to modernise the branch, to create a new main-style open-plan branch with significantly longer opening hours to improve customer service.

"The branch was due to close on Thursday 5 June for a two-week long refurbishment.

"Due to the very sad news those plans have now been put on hold, for the time being, until Mrs Odedra is ready to contemplate the next step for Lymington Post Office.  Post Office will offer support and advice to his wife.

"Post Office Field Change Advisor, Doug Loxton, who worked closely Mr Odedra, over his major transformation plans, said:

'I am deeply shocked and saddened by Mr Odedra’s death. My sincere sympathy goes out to Mrs Odedra and their family and friends. Mr Odedra, was one of our new operators. He was only 29 and was full of energy and had great plans for Lymington Post Office.'

"Mr Odedra planned to transform his branch from six traditional screened positions to a modern new-style branch with four open plan counters, a modern screened position and a Post Office serving point at the retail counter where most Post Office transactions could be made during shop opening hours.

"The open-plan counters would have made it easier for staff and customers to talk, without the need to talk loudly."