Bristol man died in ladder fall tying Union flags to lampposts

A man suffered fatal head injuries after falling from a ladder intoxicated, while tying a Union flag to a lamppost, an inquest heard.

After watching a football match, Paul Lumber, 61, had gone to attach flags to lampposts near his home in Bedminster, Bristol, on the evening of 22 November last year.

Neighbours heard a loud bang before finding Lumber, a painter and decorator, on the ground by his ladder, Avon Coroner’s Court heard. He died at Southmead Hospital on 6 December.

Dr Simon Fox KC, assistant coroner for Avon, reached a conclusion of accidental death on Thursday, noting Lumber had consumed alcohol before his fall.

Coroner’s officer Andrew Eastwood said in a statement he had spoken to Lumber’s wife Michelle who told him he had “been to watch Bristol City play football and had consumed several alcoholic drinks”.

He returned home at 19:30 GMT and took the key to his van – where he kept his work ladder – before leaving their home.

Paramedics notes recorded that Mr Lumber had left his home “to put up flags around the neighbourhood”, the statement added.

Michelle Lumber later became aware of sirens across the road and went out to find her husband being treated by paramedics, with his ladder nearby and a Union Jack flag on a lamppost.

The inquest heard he suffered extensive head injuries, including a skull fracture, and underwent two operations but surgeons were unable to save him.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, the coroner said: “Mr Lumber fell from a ladder while tying a Union Jack flag to a lamppost at night after consuming alcohol.”

His cause of death was recorded as traumatic brain injury and a fall.

Lumber, of Duckmoor Road, was a well-known fan of Bristol City FC and authored two books about his experiences.

The two volumes, titled It All Kicked Off In Bristol, explored football hooliganism.