Tributes for Parndana postman and avid bowler Bevan Letton, 79, killed in Kangaroo Island crash

A Kangaroo Island postman and avid bowler has been remembered as “thoughtful and fiercely competitive” after he was killed in a crash.

Parndana local Bevan Letton is being remembered as “thoughtful” and “fiercely competitive” by friends after he tragically died when his car rolled on Wednesday night.

Mr Letton, 79, was an avid bowler and member at the Parndana Bowls Club where he held various positions over more than 40 years with the club.

Parndana Bowls Club President Chris Turner, who knew Mr Letton for 40 years, said his friend would be sorely missed within the local community.

“It’s going to leave a hole,” Mr Turner said. “The club still hasn’t come to terms with it. He was just a good bloke.”

Mr Turner, 69, said his “good mate” would be remembered as a “thoughtful, very, very competitive person”.

Parndana Bowling Club life member Bevan Letton was killed in a crash on Kangaroo Island on Wednesday night. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Letton was one of the bowling club’s most accomplished members, having won both association and club titles in the singles and team competitions, as well as playing in at least three winning grand finals.

“You don’t get to those situations if you aren’t competitive,” Mr Turner said.

“He was a competitive person but also a thoughtful and considerate person.”

Mr Letton was a life member of the club where he spent much of his spare time.

“He actually lived for bowls,” Mr Turner said.

Mr Turner said he became close friends with Mr Letton when he arrived at the club in the 1980s and Mr Letton was an established member.

“He was one of the people who taught me how to bowl back in the early ‘80s,” Mr Turner said.

Mr Turner said the club would work with Mr Letton’s family to pay tribute to their valued member.

Australia Post paid tribute to Mr Letton, who was the local postie in Parndana.

“We are saddened to hear of the passing of one of our extended workforce team members, Mr Bevan Letton,” the company said in a statement.

“Mr Letton had worked with Australia Post as a contractor for 25 years and was well known as a lovely man, much loved by his community and team members. We extend our condolences to his family at this sad time.

“Australia Post is making available Employee Assistance Program services to those who knew and worked closely with Mr Letton.”

Police allege Mr Letton crashed and died when he tried to swerve around a man allegedly riding a tractor with no lights while driving his Mitsubishi van along the Playford Highway near Bar Hut Rd on Wednesday night. He died at the scene.

Police arrested a Kangaroo Island man, 49, on Thursday and charged him with causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated driving without due care.

He was bailed to appear in the Kingscote Magistrates Court in May.

Mr Letton’s death is the 24th life lost on the state’s roads, compared with 37 at the same time last year.