Tributes to farmer killed by fall
A Tern Hill farmer has died in hospital after he fell 20ft through a barn roof while clearing out guttering which had become blocked with moss and debris.
Tributes have been paid to Geoffrey Vernon, 61, who died on Saturday after the accident at his home at Manor Farm, Tern Hill.
His family thanked everyone for their support and cards.
His wife, Heather, said although her husband had correctly secured the ladder, he had not put a plank across the asbestos roof when he was on it.
She said he was health and safety conscious and she hoped others would learn from the tragedy.
Shropshire Air Ambulance was called at 12.48pm on Friday and Mr Vernon was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire where he died the next day.
A Shropshire Air Ambulance spokesman confirmed the helicopter landed on a nearby field and paramedics had rushed to the accident site.
Mr Vernon's daughter, Jenny, said her father was always quite straight-talking and enjoyed having a laugh with people and a joke.
She said: "Lots of people have said he was a good farmer. He didn't really have hobbies but he would always get involved with Calverhall village activities and would go to the livestock auction at Market Drayton."
Mr Vernon was formerly of Moreton Wood Farm, Calverhall, and went to St Joseph's School, at Pell Wall.
He is also survived by his sons Clive and Paul, other daughter Sue and grandchildren Emily, Sophie and Robin.
The funeral arrangements are being dealt with by JR Williams, of Market Drayton, and a date will be announced shortly.
