Brother pays tribute to Bromyard man

8:50am Thursday 25th September 2008

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THE brother of a Bromyard man who died in a freak gardening accident has told how they spent time fundraising for the emergency crews who tried to save him.

Tony Blake said his older sibling John “lived for his fishing”

and that they once fished around the clock to raised money for the air ambulance.

John, aged 62, was being airlifted to hospital in Birmingham after he fell from a stepladder on to a metal fence post in his garden on Saturday morning, but died on the way.

Tony, 60, said they were united in their passion for fishing and spent lots of time together both at work, when they were employed by an engineering firm in Worcestershire, and during retirement.

“He was the nicest bloke you could meet. He wasn’t just my brother, he was my best friend,” he said.

Mr Blake was trimming a hedge when he slipped and fell at around 10.30am in Winslow Road. His wife Lorna rushed to his side and found the post had pierced his chest and shoulder.

Mr Blake said the family, including the couple’s grownup children James and Tina, were struggling to cope following the tragedy.

“Family and friends are rallying round. We have just got to go as it goes,” he said.

The former office worker’s death has left Bromyard in shock. Mr Blake said his brother was well liked and very respected after moving there from Worcestershire more than 40 years ago, when he and Lorna married.

Over the years two of his three siblings also moved there and the family became well known because Tony and sisters Rose and Veronica are triplets.

The coroner had been informed and an inquest was due to open later this week.