Tributes to former NHS nurse, 56, who died after falling in gap

Tributes have been paid to a retired NHS nurse who fell right into a gap dug for gasworks and died after security boundaries have been blown away in Storm Isha.

Andrew Barker, 56, was reportedly strolling dwelling from the pub on Sunday evening when he fell into the uncovered trench.

The repairs works in Bradford, West Yorkshire, had been closed off to public entry by plastic boundaries and warning indicators.

But they have been blown over as winds topping 80mph battered the north of England.

Mr Barker was found shortly after 7.15am on Monday and pronounced lifeless on the scene.

It is known he suffered a deadly head harm.

Tributes have been paid to a retired NHS nurse Andrew Barker (left with buddy Richard Elliot), 56, who fell right into a gap and died after security boundaries have been toppled in Storm Isha.

Friend Richard Elliott described Mr Barker because the ‘life and soul’ and referred to as for a full investigation into the circumstances of the tragedy.

He instructed native newspaper, the Telegraph & Argus: ‘You meet only a few individuals in your life who imply a lot to you!

‘Andy was this particular person to me, a funnier particular person you could possibly not meet. An actual character for positive!

‘He was very smart, skilled, charismatic, loving, fortunate for me, my finest buddy! I’ll miss him very a lot.’

Mr Elliott added: ‘I actually hope the individuals who may have prevented this tragedy are held to account if errors have been made.’

Mr Barker, who had lately retired from the NHS after a profession as a nurse, was a father of two daughters .

Residents in Highgate Road, the place Northern Gas Networks cables have been being laid, described a ‘freak accident’.

One mentioned: ‘From what I’ve been instructed a person was leaving the pub and he is fallen into the opening and banged his head.

‘It occurred late final evening and I believe I will need to have walked previous him on my solution to work.

‘Those holes are a lot deeper than you assume and the boundaries are there for a motive.

‘But the winds have been horrific and had blown them everywhere.

‘The winds might need even blown the poor chap into the opening.

‘It’s heartbreaking to assume that he had been there all evening.’

The repairs works in Highgate Road, in Bradford, West Yorkshire, had been closed off to public entry by plastic boundaries and warning indicators

Jer Lane Cricket Club, the place he was a committee member, additionally paid tribute to Mr Barker.

Chairman Jonathan Waddington mentioned: ‘Just to say from the cricket membership’s perspective, we’re so devastated to listen to of Andy’s passing in such tragic circumstances.

‘Andy had an excellent dry sense of humour and was at all times prepared to do what he may to help the membership.

‘We are indebted to him for a lot of hours of dedication in addition to a lot of laughs and his passing shall be very arduous to take for a few of our long-serving members and gamers.’

In a short assertion, West Yorkshire Police confirmed they have been referred to as to Highgate Road in Bradford at 7.19am on Monday to studies of a ‘concern for security’.

A spokesman mentioned: ‘A person was pronounced lifeless on the scene.

‘The man’s loss of life shouldn’t be being handled as suspicious and a file shall be ready for the coroner sooner or later.’