A painter and decorator from Bristol tragically lost his life after suffering severe head injuries in a fall from a ladder while attempting to tie a Union flag to a lamppost, a coroner's court has heard. The incident occurred following an evening where the individual had attended a football match and consumed alcohol.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Paul John Lumber, a 61-year-old married man who resided on Duckmoor Road in Bristol, had returned home at approximately 7.30pm on the 22nd of November last year after watching Bristol City play football. According to evidence presented at Avon Coroner's Court, Mr Lumber then took the key to his work van, where he kept his professional ladder, before leaving his home with the intention of erecting flags around the local neighbourhood.
Neighbours' Discovery and Emergency Response
Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang during the evening, which prompted them to investigate. They discovered Mr Lumber lying on the ground with a significant head injury, his ladder positioned nearby, and a Union flag attached to a lamppost. Emergency services were immediately contacted, with paramedics arriving swiftly to provide treatment at the scene.
Mr Lumber was subsequently transported to Southmead Hospital, where he underwent urgent medical assessment. A CT scan revealed extensive traumatic injuries, including a skull fracture. Despite undergoing two surgical operations in an effort to save his life, his condition unfortunately deteriorated over the following days.
Hospital Treatment and Coroner's Conclusion
Dr Richard Moon, a consultant from the neurosurgery department at Southmead Hospital, confirmed that Mr Lumber had been admitted following a reported fall from a ladder. The medical interventions, however, could not prevent the tragic outcome, and Mr Lumber passed away on the 6th of December.
During a concise hearing held on Thursday, Dr Simon Fox KC, the assistant coroner for Avon, recorded a conclusion of accidental death. The coroner explicitly stated that Mr Lumber had fallen from the ladder while engaged in the activity of tying a Union Jack flag to the lamppost at night, having consumed alcohol earlier in the evening.
Personal Life and Tributes
Paul Lumber was a well-known and devoted supporter of Bristol City Football Club, with his passion for the sport extending to authoring two books about his experiences. The volumes, titled It All Kicked Off In Bristol, delved into themes of football hooliganism and fan culture. He was also described as a loyal follower of the England national team.
In a statement read to the court by coroner's officer Andrew Eastwood, it was revealed that Mr Lumber's wife, Michelle, had confirmed her husband had consumed several alcoholic drinks after the football match. She later became aware of emergency sirens across the road and went outside to find her husband receiving medical attention from paramedics.
The family expressed no concerns regarding the care or treatment provided by medical professionals. Following his passing, close friends paid heartfelt tributes, describing him as a man whose world fundamentally revolved around the people he loved, showcasing unwavering devotion to both his family and his football allegiances.
The official cause of death was formally recorded as a traumatic brain injury resulting directly from the fall. This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the potential dangers associated with using ladders, particularly during evening hours and after alcohol consumption.
