A 40-year-old Shropshire builder died after being crushed by up to 20 tonnes of rubble in a roof collapse at a county school.
Mark Evans was killed when the roof of a classroom he was helping to demolish caved in at Moor Park School, in Richards Castle, near Ludlow, yesterday.
Mr Evans, of Normandie Close, Ludlow, was trapped when part of the building collapsed at about 11.30am. Firefighters battled to rescue Mr Evans from the rubble but were unable to save him.
His sister Sarah Griffiths, 36, of Tenbury Wells, today paid tribute to her brother.She said: “The family are struggling to some to terms with their shock. Mark was a much-loved husband, father, son and brother with a large extended family who are all devastated by this tragedy.”
Mr Evans, who attended Ludlow School, leaves his wife of almost 20 years, Theresa, 40, and their 14-year-old daughter Chloe.
His mother Maureen, two sisters, two brothers and a niece and nephew all live locally. This summer Mr Evans and his wife both celebrated their 40th birthdays at The Feathers Hotel.
He played football for Ludlow until nine years ago, where he was nicknamed Pacey.
Station Officer John Taylor, of Ludlow Fire Station, said: “We were on site within six minutes of receiving the 999 call. We lifted the weight off the man using airbags and hydraulic equipment which took ten minutes.
“We were then able to crawl beneath the section of roof and drag the man out which took another ten minutes. The crews worked brilliantly because conditions were exceptionally dangerous.
“The roof weighed around 20 tonnes and further sections could have collapsed at any moment.”
Sarah Low, who was the first paramedic on scene, said: “Access was extremely difficult, and we were only able to extricate the casualty after the Fire and Rescue Service had managed to raise one side of the structure just enough for us to crawl under.
“Sadly, the man had not survived, and there was nothing we could do.”
Moor Park School spokesman Matthew Brundrett said the builders working with Mr Evans at the time of the accident were in shock.
“A building contractor who we use for odd jobs around the school hired another three or four men locally to help demolish the building and it was one of them who was killed,” he said.
“Our deepest sympathies go to the family of the man. It’s beyond belief and tragic that something like this can happen and the builders were in extreme shock. Obviously the project has been suspended.”
Police spokesman Richard Ewels said today: “The circumstances are being investigated by the police and the Health and Safety Executive. A report is being prepared for the South Shropshire Coroner.
“A post mortem is expected to be held today.”
By Catherine Roche and Andy Richardson
2 Comments
It was with such shock and sadness that we read about the death of Mark Evans.Mark is Wendy’s brother and Wendy is our son Allan’s partner.
We know this tragedy has shocked and devastated Wendy and her family. It has been difficult, from afar, to make personal contact and relay our thoughts to her and her family when the family is so bereaved.
We love Wendy very much and we want Wendy to know that we are embracing her in our arms and holding her close to our heart and we want each member of her family,especially Maureen, Theresa and Chloe to know that we are feeling for them and grieving alongside them. We send our deepest condolences from all the family in Perth Western Australia.
Mark and Theresa were at a 40th birthday party only a week before the accident where we and others from Ludlow school chatted laughed and reminised about our school days ,Mark was a very popular lad through school, through sport and during his working life , He will be very very sadly missed and our thoughts go out to Theresa , Chloe and Marks family during these terrible times .