Tributes to scaffolder dad in work tragedy
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO DEATH OF FORMER PUB BOSS
TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular father-of-two who died at work.
Michael Harrison, 42, lived in Tyldesley, Wigan, and worked for 3D Scaffolding in Irlam, Salford.
But his sister Michelle said that he ‘went to work last Friday and never came home.’
A joint police and Health and Safety Executive investigation is underway into the incident that killed Michael, which happened while he was working in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire.
A HSE spokesman said: “HSE is aware of the incident and a joint investigation with Cheshire Constabulary is under way.”
A spokesman for 3D Scaffolding described Michael’s death as an ‘accident’ and said they could not comment further on the exact circumstances due to an ‘ongoing investigation.’
Leading the tributes to him, Michelle said: “He was such a hardworking lad with a massive heart and he’d always manage to find his way to a party on a weekend!
“He lived and breathed for his two girls, Katie and Abbie.
“He spent 18 years with their mum Kirsty and met his soul mate, Janine, six months ago. They had only just moved in together two weeks ago as well.”
Michael was a Liverpool fan and
Michelle described him as ‘massively into his music.’
He used to run The Queens pub in Tyldesley, where he hosted a number of up-and-coming bands over the years, including Catfish and the Bottlemen. Another band that he was extremely fond of was local outfit Rivet City.
Frontman Jake Breeze paid tribute to Michael, who he described as a ‘friend and mentor.’
He said: “I want to start by saying that without Michael Harrison, pretty much every local band in our area would have had nowhere to play. Mike cared more about giving young bands a paid gig than he ever was about having a tribute band in every Friday and Saturday to keep the regulars happy.
“The Queens was the heart of a scene, a scene that produced some great bands – even some that have gone on to land major record deals like The Lottery Winners.”
Jake said that Michael would follow his band and other local, unsigned bands around the country.
He also remembered a time when Michael had booked Rivet City to play at The Queens and, despite it being much quieter than expected, he still paid Jake and told him ‘you
deserved a better night.’ Jake added: “I could write a book about how much I admired Mike, and how much of an impact he had on my life, and so many others. Every scene has someone like Michael Harrison, but we all had the real deal.
“Mike was a father, a friend, and a mentor. A true working class hero, that will be sorely missed.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up by Michael’s family to help with funeral costs.
So far, more than £5,500 has been raised. To donate, visit ‘The legend that is Michael Harrison’ GoFundMe page.