Community raise £2,500 for family of bin man Paul

MORE than £2,500 has been raised for the family of a bin man who died during a tragic incident while working in Northolt.

Paul John Abbott, a father-of-five from Southall, died after reportedly being struck by a dustcart in Priors Field at 7.30am on Tuesday December 4.

The 59-year-old was treated at the scene by paramedics but died in an ambulance on the way to hospital.

Following the tragedy, a JustGiving page has been set up to help raise £5,000 for Mr Abbott’s family.

So far, the page has helped raise more than £2,500, with nearly 150 people making donations.

The crowdfunding page reads: “Most of us will have read or heard the sad news of the death of Paul Abbott, a refuse collector who worked (and lived) in the borough of Ealing. Paul had been a refuse collector on our streets around the borough for years and I’m sure many of us would have seen him on his rounds.

“On Tuesday December 4 2018, Paul like a lot of us got up that morning and headed to work, but tragically he was not to come home as he was killed in a tragic accident whilst doing his job.

“He leaves behind a family of five children.

“Following the accident his colleagues said he had died a hero because he pushed his young coworker, without any thought of himself, out of the way to save them from the same fate.

“Paul and his family were no doubt looking forward to enjoying the festive season and spending time together, but this will now be a tough time for them all as they will be grieving their sudden loss.

“In these arduous times perhaps we as a community could do something to support Paul’s family who have suffered great hurt.

“If you can donate to help them during these difficult times just click on the donate button and donate whatever you can.”

“Although I didn’t know him personally this story touched my heart. RIP,” wrote one person on the crowdfunding page.

Another wrote: “So sorry to hear this sad news about Paul which is especially heartbreaking at this time of the year. I hope the collection will go some way towards easing the financial burden for this family.”

Mr Abbott, who was part of an Amey crew collecting rubbish, Paul Abbott was just 59 when he died

reportedly “pushed a colleague out of the way” of the bin lorry, saving his life.

Metropolitan Police have said the driver of the lorry is assisting them with their enquiries and no arrests have been made.

Amey, the company contracted by Ealing Council to collect rubbish in the borough, says it is helping police establish how Mr Abbott came to die.