South Ribble Council charged after Paul FIddler killed by tree

A council has been charged over the death of a football coach whose van was struck by a falling tree during Storm Darragh.

Paul Fiddler, who was in his 40s, died when the tree fell on his Citroen van as he drove along the A59 Longton Bypass in Hutton, Lancashire, on 7 December 2024.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said South Ribble Borough Council was being prosecuted under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 in connection with his death.

No date had been set for the first court hearing, the HSE said.

The watchdog said the council had been charged under Section 3(1) of the act, following an investigation initially conducted with Lancashire Police.

Storm Darragh caused widespread disruption across the UK, with fallen trees, power cuts and events cancelled because of strong winds.

Following Fiddler’s death, Lytham Town FC, where he was a coach, paid tribute to him on social media, describing him as a “legend” and a “true friend”.

The club said: “A well loved coach, football player, gaffer but most of all a true friend.”

South Ribble Borough Council has been approached for comment.