A 61-year-old man died after falling from a ladder while attempting to hang a Union flag, an inquest heard. Paul John Lumber, a painter and decorator from Bristol, suffered fatal head injuries in the incident.
Accidental Death Ruled in Bristol Fall
Paul Lumber fell from a ladder on November 22 while putting up flags near his home on Duckmoor Road. Neighbours alerted emergency services after hearing a loud bang and discovering him on the ground.
He was transported to Southmead Hospital, where he underwent surgery, but his condition worsened and he died on December 6. A CT scan revealed extensive head injuries, including a skull fracture.
Assistant Coroner Dr. Simon Fox KC concluded the death was accidental, stating Mr. Lumber “fell from a ladder while tying a Union Jack flag to a lamp post at night after consuming alcohol.” The cause of death was recorded as traumatic brain injury and a fall.
According to a statement from coroner’s officer Andrew Eastwood, Mr. Lumber’s wife, Michelle, said he had been to a Bristol City football match and had consumed several alcoholic drinks before returning home and retrieving a ladder from his van.
Mrs. Lumber discovered paramedics treating her husband after hearing sirens. A Union flag was already affixed to a lamp post nearby.
Mr. Lumber was a well-known fan of Bristol City and authored two books about his experiences with football hooliganism, titled It All Kicked Off In Bristol.
Following his death, friends described him as “a man whose world revolved around those he loved.” A GoFundMe page established by a friend, Stephen Gardiner, has raised over £5,700.
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