Dad killed in horror crash as he drove home from buying daughter's Christmas gifts

A devoted father tragically lost his life driving home after buying Christmas presents for his little girl.

Andrew Blum, 29, was behind the wheel, with his older brother Jerod Paulus, 32, in the passenger's seat last Friday, when he lost control of the vehicle while navigating a curve, police said.

The pair were travelling along a road in Idaho, US, when their Mazda Tribute left the road and hit a ditch, then flipped.

The SUV was already engulfed in flames when fire crews arrived and pulled the pair from the fireball.

The men were rushed to hospital, where Mr Blum later died.

However, Mr Paulus is expected to recover.

Sadie Brown, Mr Blum’s former partner and mother of his three-year-old daughter Emma, said the man’s entire life revolved around his daughter.

“He was a very good dad. He loved Emma with everything he had,” she told KHQ.

Despite the couple’s split last year, Ms Brown said the pair were in contact daily, and she had spoken to Mr Blum just 30 minutes before the crash.

During that conversation he reportedly told Emma’s mother he he had just finished Christmas shopping for the little girl, and that he planned to take her to lunch the following day.

Ms Brown said those presents were still in the car when the vehicle crashed, and burned with the SUV inferno.

The wife of Mr Blum’s friend set up a GoFundMe campaign to help the father’s family pay for his funeral.

Friends have left messages on the crowdfunding page, remembering him as a devoted dad and a loving man.

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Mr Blum’s partner Bridget said: “Andrew was the man of my dreams.”

“He was a one in a million guy. He was an amazing father.

“He always was there for everyone. He never put himself first."

A colleague added: “Andrew, you have been a great friend and co-worker. Your sense of humour and ability to stay calm in a storm is an inspiration to us all, we love you.”