Bluebirds fan ‘who touched the hearts of everyone’ dies in freak accident

THE parents of a man who died in an apparent freak accident that left him with a serious head injury after stumbling over his own flip flop have paid tribute to him as “a life-long Bluebird who touched the hearts of everyone”.

About 1,000 people are expected to attend the funeral of Richard Best, who died in the accident in the early hours of July 3.

Buses have been laid on from Cardiff and Bridgend for the funeral in Baglan today to remember the 44-year-old, known as “Besty”.

“He was so well loved by everyone.” said his mum Pam.

“He touched everyone’s heart, it’s just been so overwhelming since it happened.

“All of the people that have come forward and sent messages have been a real source of comfort.

“I just can’t believe how many hearts he touched. I find it hard to still accept it, at times I am in denial and other times I realise what has happned.”

The family’s home in Baglan has been inundated with cards of condolences and flowers since Richard, who worked in hot metal production at the steelworks in Port Talbot, was found with a devastating head injury.

“Richard wasn’t famous but to look at all this now you would think that he was a dignitary or a celebrity,” said his step-dad Barrie.

“He used to make people laugh – he was so dry.

“He was best man to two of his best mates and people would say they were the best speeches ever.

“He just made people laugh so much. I’m not trying to glorify his life but the reaction is just incredible.”

The messages in the cards sent to the family’s home depict a man who was warm, kind, understated, humble and one of the boys.

Barrie recalled an incident at the Bagle Brook Beefeater in Baglan from the night before he died that he said summed up his step-son.

He said: “On the Monday there was a man from Leicester who was sitting in the pub who was there on his own as he was there for work.

“Richard called over to him and he told him not to sit on his own and invited the man over to join him and his friends.

“I met the guy after Richard died. I had been reading the cards we have been sent and I was sobbing my heart out.

“I left the house and came across the guy. He told me what had happened that night.

“Richard had seen the guy just looking at the telly all on his own.

“The boy was called Christian and he has sent us a really nice note since – he had only met him once.”

After Richard was discovered he was taken to Morriston Hospital and placed on a life support machine, while friends gathered in the Bagle Brook waiting for news.

Tragically, they soon found out that the decision had been made to turn off his life support machine. His step-dad said what happened next was unbelievably moving.

“There were hundreds of people in The Brook just waiting for news,” said Barrie.

“He passed away and a minute later his younger brother Chris rang us for an update.

“He told everyone in the pub that Richard had gone. But he also told them they didn’t want any crying because his brother wouldn’t want that, it was then that the hundreds of people just started applauding.”

Richard had been a Cardiff City fan since he went to his first game at the age of eight. The family will be releasing 44 blue balloons at the wake to mark the 44 years of his life.

However, it was not just the Bluebirds that held a place in his heart – he was also an avid animal lover.

Apart from his little dog (named Earnie after former Cardiff striker Robert Earnshaw) he had an affinity for wildlife.

“He was a very thoughtful guy,” said Pam.

“When he was a child people were digging in the canal with the diggers.

“He was only 12 but he came to me and said they were killing the fish.

“He asked for some buckets and bowls and he rounded all the children up in the local area.

“They filled them with water and carried the fish from the canal to the house and I had a garage full of fish!

“He may have been 12 but he then carried the fish half a mile up to a nearby lake.

“I brought him into this world and he touched so many hearts. I am so proud of the man he was.”

Richard died after a severe head injury. His funeral will be held today and an inquest into his death was opened by assistant coroner Aled Wyn Gruffyydd.

It has been adjourned to a later date while police continue to investigate the case.