Bristol man died in ladder fall tying Union flags to lampposts

A man suffered fatal head injuries after drunkenly falling down a ladder while tying a Union flag to a lamppost, the inquest heard.

Paul Lumber, 61, went to hang flags on lampposts near his home in Bedminster, Bristol, on the evening of November 22 last year after watching a football match.

Neighbors heard a loud bang before finding painter and decorator Lumber on the ground next to his staircase, Avon Coroner’s Court heard. He died at Southmead Hospital on 6 December.

Avon deputy coroner Dr. Simon Fox KC ruled on Thursday that Lumber had consumed alcohol before the fall, resulting in accidental death.

Coroner Andrew Eastwood said in a statement that he spoke to Lumber’s wife, Michelle, who said she “went to watch a Bristol City football match and had a few alcoholic drinks”.

He returned home at 19:30 GMT and took the keys to his van, which he kept on his work ladder, before leaving home.

The paramedics’ notes noted that Mr. Lumber left his home “to hang a flag around the neighborhood,” the statement said.

Michelle Lumber then noticed sirens across the road and went outside to find her husband being treated by paramedics, near her staircase and a Union Jack flag tacked to the lamppost.

The inquest heard he suffered extensive head trauma, including a skull fracture, and underwent two surgeries but surgeons were unable to save him.

Recording a result of accidental death, the coroner said: “Mr Lumber fell down a ladder while tying a Union Jack flag to a lamppost at night after consuming alcohol.”

The cause of death was reported to be traumatic brain injury and fall.

Lumber, of Duckmoor Road, was a well-known fan of Bristol City FC and had written two books about his experiences.

Two volumes, titled It All Started in Bristol, explored football hooliganism.