Derry window cleaner dies after ladder fall

The late Paddy McDermott.

Published on Friday 3 February 2012 09:46

Derry City FC steward Paddy McDermott passed away in hospital this afternoon just days after sustaining serious head injuries in a fall.

The 45-year-old, who owned a window cleaning business, fell from a ladder while cleaning guttering at a house in the Oakbridge area of the city on Monday.

Mr. McDermott, from Hazelbank, was initially taken to Altnagelvin Hospital but was later transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast where he died yesterday.

Billy Scampton, Events Controller with Derry City FC, last night described his close friend as the “salt of the earth.”

Mr. Scampton said his friend was “very well known” and “very well liked - particularly within Derry City FC circles.”

“I’m sure I speak for everyone at the club - in particular the stewards - when I say we’re heartbroken at the loss of Paddy.

“Not only have we lost a good friend but the club has lost a very valuable individual who played a key role at Brandywell on match days.

“I’ve been working with Paddy for 15 years and I can say without hesitation that he will be a very big loss to the club.

“We worked hand in glove together and we were part of the FAI-winning Match Day Management Team for the 2010 season.

“We had just been working on contingency and emergency plans for the forthcoming season for Derry City Council.

“In fact, I was just about to phone him when I received the news of his accident.”

Mr. Scampton said his friend “would have given you the shirt off his back.”

“He was a tireless worker on behalf of the club and our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time,” he added.

Sinn Fein MLA Raymond McCartney, a friend of Mr. McDermott, said he was deeply saddened to hear of his death.

“I would like to take this opportunity to pass on my regards to Paddy’s family,” he said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time.”

OAP window cleaner dies after plunge

Published on Saturday 4 February 2012 06:00

A WINDOW cleaner who had been in the business for more than 40 years has died after falling from his ladder.

Keith Harrison, 72, was cleaning windows when he fell and banged his head. He was rushed to Sheffield’s Royal Hallamshire Hospital but died three days later, following a stroke.

Eunice Clifton, 67, his close friend and neighbour in Ardsley, Barnsley, said: “He was jolly, kind and just a lovely man. People are in absolute shock.

“He loved being a window cleaner, I think it was the social aspect of it. He just couldn’t retire because he liked it so much.

“The day he had the accident he had been mending my fencing. He had got to the last panel and was coming back in the afternoon but never got the chance.”

Mr Harrison, who had lived on the same street since he was a boy, was a former miner who worked in Barnsley Council’s refuse department and started an afternoon window cleaning round.

He cleaned windows all over Barnsley and was working at a house in Darfield when the accident happened last week.

A funeral will he held on Monday at Ardsley Crematorium.

Source: http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/at-a-glance/main-section/oap_window_cleaner_dies_after_plunge_1_4212506

Window Cleaner honoured for their role in supporting the armed forces (UK)

Theresa and Joseph Carroll with their sons Thomas, 13, and Joseph, five, at the awards ceremony last night

IT’S not being on the frontline of a war zone that worries Paul McKeown, but window cleaning on Tyneside.

He was one of scores of volunteers honoured yesterday for their role in supporting the armed forces.

Dozens of members of the Territorial Army, cadets and other reservists gathered to be recognised for the part they play in protecting the country.

And despite operating in one of the most dangerous places in the world, Sapper McKeown said being on the lookout for suicide bombers and insurgents wasn’t half as dangerous as his civilian job on Tyneside.

The 47-year-old, from Newcastle, said: "I’m a window cleaner and about a year before I was posted to Afghanistan I had an accident at work which almost killed me.

"I fell off my ladder and fractured my skull in five places, broke my ribs and had fractures to my arms and legs. They say Afghanistan is a dangerous place, but the closest I’ve come to death was on the streets of Newcastle."

The grandfather-of-one spent seven months last year in the war- torn country operating in Kabul providing close protection work for high-ranking diplomatic figures.

He joined the TA three years ago but was a member of the regular Army between 1979 and 1993.

He was among the volunteers honoured with certificates by the Lord Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear Nigel Sherlock.

They were recognised for their work during an hour-long presentation ceremony at the TA Centre in Heaton, Newcastle.

It was a family affair for the Carrolls, as husband and wife Jospeh and Theresa Carroll from Newcastle picked up awards for their TA service. Joseph has served abroad while Theresa has been based back in the UK.

Corporal Paul Smith, from Low Teams, in Gateshead, was given a commendation for his services in Afghanistan. The soldier has been in the TA for 19 years, and recently spent six months in the war zone.

He was responsible for ensuring supplies reached front-line troops.

Cpl Smith, 39, said: "I was chuffed to get the award, very honoured. I love my job. There are dangers, but you get used to being places like that."

Mr Sherlock said: "It has been a pleasure handing out the awards. All these people here give up their spare time to give something to the wider community."

Read More http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2011/02/23/cadets-and-reservists-honoured-for-work-72703-28219478/#ixzz1Ensf0wav

Signs of recovery for window cleaner Simon Hill

A Telford window cleaner who was left fighting for his life after falling from a ladder has begun to show some signs of recovery, his family said today.

Father-of-eight Simon Hill suffered serious head injuries when he fell while cleaning windows at a house in Ketley on November 13.
The 45-year-old was flown to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for a life-saving operation after suffering a serious head injury.
Mr Hill and his wife Lizz, both 45, who live in Leegomery, have been married for 25 years and have eight children.
Mr Hill, who has been cleaning windows in Telford since the 1980s, was only discovered after a boy spotted him lying on the grass of his client’s front garden.
Today his mother Mary Hill said he has been moved to Telford’s Princess Royal Hospital for rehabilitation.
“Simon’s wife and family would like to thank his customers, neighbours and friends who have sent cards and good wishes to Simon,” said Mrs Hill. “They are greatly appreciated.
“Simon is showing small signs of recovery but is not yet able to make any decisions regarding his business.
“It is realised that his customers will need to take on another window cleaner in the meantime. It is hoped, however, when Simon is able to return to his business that they will continue to show him their loyalty.
“Simon will be depending on the goodwill of his fellow window cleaners to hand back the work on his return.”
Mr Hill’s wife, who is a teacher at New College in Wellington, said her family were left devastated after hearing of the accident.
By Jason Lavan

Read more: http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2010/12/16/signs-of-recovery-for-window-cleaner-simon-hill/#ixzz18LJcLAey