Man Died After Falling From A Ladder While Tying Union Jack Flag To Lamppost

A 61-year-old man suffered fatal head injuries after falling from a ladder while drunk and tying a Union flag to a lamppost, an inquest has heard.

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

Neighbours heard a loud bang and then found Lumber, a painter and decorator, KO’d on the ground by his ladder. He never regained consciousness and passed away a few days later.

Dr Simon Fox KC, assistant coroner for Avon, reached a conclusion of accidental death this week, noting Lumber was intoxicated during his fall. He suffered extensive head injuries, including a skull fracture, and underwent two operations which were unsuccessful in saving him.

Lumber’s wife Michelle confirmed her husband had “been to watch Bristol City play and had consumed several alcoholic drinks”.

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.”

In the month before his fall, Paul had started an online fundraiser to gather funds for additional flags, amassing over £1,000 for his ‘Raise the Colours’ initiative, which was popping off at the time.

A close friend shared: “Paul was widely regarded as one of the area’s most colourful and recognisable characters, A painter and decorator by trade, Mr Lumber was a lifelong Bristol City and England supporter who followed both club and country with unwavering devotion.

“He was a prominent figure in the football casual scene during the 1980s, later chronicling its history in two books about the movements and activities of the City Service Firm, the group associated with Bristol City. Mr Lumber had recently wed Michele, his partner of 23 years. Friends characterised him as a man whose life orbited around those he cherished.”

For what it’s worth,  Paul was amongst the first individuals in the UK to be issued a football banning order upon their introduction in their 80’s, serving multiple prison sentences during his youth for hooliganism.

Very sad way to go out in the end. Imagine surviving all those football riots at the peak of British hooliganism, only to then be killed falling off a ladder while trying to tie a Union Jack to a lamppost. Just goes to show why it costs councils so much money to pay for proper equipment and safety gear to put stuff up on lampposts, instead of some guy propping up his own ladder.

RIP Paul and thoughts with his friends and family.

For the dad who spent 6 hours painting a St. George’s Cross onto the front of his house after someone tore down his England flag, click HERE.