'Amazing' bricklayer crushed to death by collapsing wall while working with his son
Paul Oakley, 64, was tragically crushed to death by a stone wall that he had been tasked with dismantling and rebuilding in Bristol last year while he was working alongside his son Sam
A devastated widow says she will struggle for the rest of her life after her "amazing" bricklayer husband was crushed to death by a stone wall whilst working with his son.
Paul Oakley, 64, was left fatally injured at the site in Bristol on September 4 last year. The dad, who was working alongside his son, Sam, had been tasked with dismantling and rebuilding a stone wall in Stoke Bishop. His heartbroken widow Betty Oakley, who was married to Paul for 16 years, has enlisted the help of lawyers Irwin Mitchell to seek answers. Betty said: "Paul was my soul mate and for him to ripped away from me in such a cruel way is something I'll struggle with for the rest of my life.
"I'll never forget the feeling of shock and emptiness when I was told he had died. He'd gone off to work with Sam as normal, but he never returned.
"Paul was the most amazing husband and dad, and I would give anything to have him back by my side. Some days I still wake up hoping that it's all been a horrible nightmare, but then the reality quickly dawns on me again. While I know nothing can change what's happened, I feel like I need answers for Paul. It's the least he and our family deserve.'
Paul was working at a site in Bristol for a building firm. Ehlana Penwarden, the specialist workplace accident lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Paul's loved ones, said: "Understandably, coming to terms with losing Paul so suddenly and in such tragic circumstances continues to have a profound effect on his family.
"The family have found the past seven months incredibly difficult. Paul's loved ones have a number of questions and concerns over what happened, which we're now investigating. While nothing will make up for their loss, we're determined to help them establish the answers they deserve to help honour Paul's memory."
A separate Health and Safety investigation into the incident is underway.
The tragedy comes after a "kind" lorry driver was crushed to death between two machines just minutes after he arrived at work for an early morning shift. Lee Swingewood, 50, was loading a JCB scissor lift onto his vehicle in August 2023 when he was crushed between the equipment and a Snorkel cherry picker.
A three-day jury inquest into his death was held in January of this year - two-and-a-half years after the incident at Bella Access - a machinery hire warehouse in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent. Lee, from Smallthorne, was pronounced dead at 5.54am by paramedics who arrived on scene on August 25, 2023.
Detailing the circumstances behind his death, the coroner said: "Lee's job entailed loading his vehicle with MEWPs [Mobile Elevating Work Platform] and delivering them to Bella Access customers.
"On August 25 2023, Lee arrived at Bella Access' yard at approximately 5am. He started to load the first MEWP onto the vehicle at around 5.10am. He loaded four MEWPs onto the vehicle without incident.
"While loading the JCB scissor lift, Lee appeared to be guiding the equipment onto the vehicle bed while making use of the vehicle winch. CCTV footage shows the MEWP controller falling to the ground.
"The MEWP continued to move forward, which may indicate that the winch was still in operation and pulled the MEWP towards the front of the vehicle. It crushed Lee between the JCB scissor lift and the Snorkel cherry picker.'
A medical report by Dr Paul Simcock identified the cause of death as "multiple chest injuries".
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