A tragic incident occurred as a football enthusiast lost his life while attempting to hang a Union flag on a lamppost, as revealed during an inquest. Paul John Lumber, a 61-year-old painter and decorator, was found on the ground by neighbors in Duckmoor Road, Bristol, after falling from a ladder on the evening of November 22 last year. Despite undergoing surgery at Southmead Hospital, Mr. Lumber passed away on December 6, as disclosed at the Avon Coroner’s Court.
The assistant coroner for Avon, Dr. Simon Fox KC, concluded that Mr. Lumber’s death was accidental, attributing it to a fall from a ladder while inebriated and attempting to secure the flag. Mr. Lumber, a devoted Bristol City FC fan who authored books on football hooliganism, was known in the community for his passion for the sport.
Dr. Richard Moon, a neurosurgeon at Southmead Hospital, detailed Mr. Lumber’s severe head injuries, including a skull fracture, sustained from the fall. The cause of death was determined to be traumatic brain injury resulting from the fall. According to statements from Mr. Lumber’s wife, Michelle, he had been consuming alcohol after watching a football match before the unfortunate incident occurred.
Upon returning home from the game, Mr. Lumber retrieved his work ladder from his van to hang flags in the neighborhood. Concerned neighbors called emergency services upon hearing a loud noise and finding Mr. Lumber injured on the ground. Paramedics arrived to provide assistance, but Mr. Lumber’s injuries proved fatal.
Following his passing, friends and family remembered Mr. Lumber as a dedicated supporter of Bristol City and the England national team, emphasizing his profound love for his close ones. The community mourned the loss of a man whose life was centered around his cherished relationships.
