Tributes to 'loving dad'

A Shropshire woman whose husband was killed when the roof of a classroom collapsed on top of him today said she finally had closure more than two years after his death.

Paying tribute to father-of-one Mark Evans, Theresa Evans said the past two years had been absolutely horrendous for her and her daughter, Chloe.

Mrs Evans was speaking following the conclusion of a two-day inquest last week which ruled that the death of her husband was an accident.

However, she criticised the process saying because the inquest had taken so long it had added to her and her daughter's distress.

Mrs Evans, of Normandie Close, Ludlow, said: "We have closure with the inquest and I can now get a death certificate, but it is just the length of time it has taken.

"He was a fantastic father he was a great provider.

"This has totally destroyed myself and our daughter Chloe. We will never get over it. My daughter has been scarred by it."

Mr Evans died when a classroom roof fell on him at Moor Park School, Richards Castle, in August 2007.

The builder was one of five men working on the classroom when it happened.

Mrs Evans said they had met when they were just 16.

She said: "He has always been in my life. Sometimes I wake up and feel it is not happening to me and it is all a terrible dream."

The couple, who married in 1990, went on to have their daughter in 1993.

She said he was well known in Ludlow and part of the town's football club.

It was Mr Evans' love of football that prompted his family to have his ashes scattered at Anfield, Liverpool.

Commenting on the inquest, Mrs Evans said she was disappointed the four workmen declined to comment during the hearing. Their statements were read out on their behalf by a representative from the HSE.

Mrs Evans said she felt sure that Moor Park School had taken steps to enhance its system for managing building works at the school.

l We have been asked to point out that Alexander Magrail is in fact Mr Evans' half brother. Previous reports referred to Mr Magrail as his brother.

By Sophie Bignall