On a chilly evening in late January 2025, the quiet residential street of Southall Avenue in Skewen, Neath Port Talbot, became the scene of a tragic accident that would send ripples of grief through a local community. Daniel Burton, a 27-year-old mechanic, father, and football enthusiast, was found unresponsive under a car he had been repairing outside his partner’s home. Despite desperate attempts by neighbors and the rapid arrival of emergency services, Burton was pronounced dead at the scene—a heartbreaking loss for his family and friends.
According to multiple reports, including detailed coverage by BBC, WalesOnline, and Daily Star, Daniel Burton’s final day began like many others, filled with ambition and family. Earlier that day, he attended college in pursuit of his MOT testers qualification—a professional milestone he was just a week away from achieving. After college, he spent quality time with his partner, Abbie, and their children at Penlan Leisure Centre, a local spot known for family outings.
Returning home, Burton was eager to tackle a repair on his Audi A3, having just received a part he’d been waiting for. Despite the darkness and the concerns voiced by his partner about the scale of the job and the fading daylight, his enthusiasm for hands-on work prevailed. Witnesses later recounted seeing the Audi parked on a sloped section of the street, propped up on the driver’s side with its rear wheels removed. Burton, described by friends and family as “happy go lucky” and a “likeably cheeky chap,” was lying on his back beneath the vehicle, focused on the task at hand.
As reported by BBC, a neighbor who observed the scene considered warning Burton about the apparent instability of the setup but ultimately decided against it, fearing her advice might not be well received. “I thought the car looked unsafe but did not want to intervene,” she later told the inquest. It was a decision she would come to regret.
Around 6:30 p.m., two women searching for their recently stolen car happened upon the scene. Hoping for a lead, they approached Burton, only to realize he was unresponsive and pinned beneath the Audi. Alarmed, they called for help. A neighbor rushed over with a jack, managing to lift the car enough to pull Burton out. Emergency services—including firefighters, paramedics, and police—arrived swiftly, but their efforts were in vain. Daniel Burton was pronounced dead at 6:53 p.m. on January 22, 2025.
Subsequent investigations by the police and forensic teams found no suspicious circumstances. The scene revealed one axle stand lying on its side under the vehicle, a jack that had been used in the rescue attempt, and another axle stand still in its packaging. As WalesOnline reported, a post-mortem examination determined the cause of death to be traumatic asphyxiation, often referred to as “crush asphyxiation”—a condition tragically familiar from incidents in sports stadiums and industrial accidents alike.
At the inquest held at Swansea’s Guildhall court, Coroner Colin Phillips concluded that the accident occurred when the axle stand, destabilized by the slope of the street, slipped and tipped over, trapping Burton beneath the car. “He was very much loved and will be sorely missed and I hope you get a degree of closure now,” Phillips told Burton’s grieving family, as reported by BBC. The coroner’s verdict was one of accidental death, a finding echoed in all official reports.
The community’s response was immediate and heartfelt. Tributes poured in from friends, family, and local sports clubs. Burton was remembered as a “beloved son,” “cherished partner,” and “devoted father.” He was passionate about football, having played for Neath Town, Aberavon Greenstars, and most recently, Cilfrew Rovers. Those who knew him spoke of his ability to light up a room, his down-to-earth nature, and his unwavering dedication to his family and friends. “Dan was an amazing person, he would light up every room he entered and he will be sorely missed by so many. He was a down-to-earth person, a great friend, a great father and will be a tremendous loss to everyone that knew him,” organizers of a fundraising appeal wrote, as cited by Daily Mail.
In the days following the accident, local sports clubs rallied to support Burton’s family, raising more than £3,000 to help them through the difficult period. The gesture underscored just how deeply Burton’s loss was felt across the community.
The tragedy also sparked reflection among those who witnessed the events or learned of them later. One passerby’s rueful words, “I thought the car looked unsafe but did not want to intervene,” resonated with many, highlighting the hesitation people sometimes feel in offering unsolicited advice, even when safety is at stake. It’s a reminder that, while personal boundaries matter, sometimes a simple word of caution can make all the difference.
Burton’s professional journey was one marked by dedication and promise. After training as a mechanic following his departure from St Joseph’s School, he worked at KandJ Motors in Pencoed and had previously been employed at the Port Talbot steelworks. He was described in court as a “devoted” partner and father, with one witness noting, “becoming a father was the making of Daniel.” His family life, described as a “lovely little family bubble,” was his pride and joy.
While the inquest brought a measure of closure, questions linger about how such tragedies can be prevented. The accident has prompted conversations in the local community about the importance of using proper safety equipment and ensuring stable, level ground when working beneath vehicles. It’s a sobering lesson, one that resonates far beyond the borders of Skewen.
As the days pass and the community continues to mourn, the memory of Daniel Burton endures—not just as a cautionary tale, but as a testament to a life lived with enthusiasm, love, and commitment. His story serves as a powerful reminder to cherish those close to us, to act with care, and, when in doubt, to speak up for safety’s sake.
Daniel Burton’s legacy is one of warmth, laughter, and devotion—a legacy that will live on in the hearts of his family, friends, and all who knew him.
