Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Bin man ‘died a hero’
WORKER WHO DIED IN CRASH LAST WEEK SAID TO HAVE PUSHED COLLEAGUE TO SAFETY
A BIN man who reportedly died on duty while saving his colleague in Northolt has been named formally by Metropolitan Police.
Already named locally as Amey employee Paul Abbott, police have said the 59-year-old was a father of five.
Despite best efforts from paramedics, Mr Abbott was pronounced dead on his way to hospital at 7.30am after being struck by a bin lorry on Priors Field on Tuesday morning (December 4).
The Greenford man has been called a hero, after reports that he pushed a work colleague out of the path of the lorry before being fatally struck by it himself.
One friend who previously worked with Mr Abbott said he was a “decent man” who “worked all his life, loved his family and his football.” Mr Abbott was a Queen’s Park Rangers fan.
The popular bin man’s death has caused a significant outpouring of tributes on social media.
“Truly heartbroken,” said one man on social media. Another said: “Very sad. Tomorrow is not a given. Keep safe and love one another.”
Amey, the company contracted by Ealing Council to carry out environmental and waste services, says it is working with police to establish how the man came to die.
“It is with great sadness that we can confirm that one of our employees has died,” said James Haluch, managing director of Amey Highways.
“We are unable to provide further details about this incident at present.
“However, our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with their family, friends and colleagues affected. We are working with the police to establish how this tragic event has taken place.”
Mr Abbott was part of the collection crew that worked in the Northolt area on Tuesday morning.
Following the incident, other collection crews working in Ealing on Tuesday were told the news and sent home.
A spokeswoman for Ealing Council said: “There has been a serious incident which has resulted in the death of a member of staff. The council extends is deepest sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues.
“Collection crews are being informed and sent home. Services that are impacted will be resumed Saturday [December 8] and we ask for patience from residents affected during this difficult time.”
The driver of the lorry, understood to be a colleague of Mr Abbott, stopped at the scene and is cooperating with police in their investigation.
If you knew Mr Abbott and would like to pay tribute, email samuel. truelove@reachplc.com.