Last updated at 12:00, Friday, 18 January 2013

Tributes have been paid to a Workington family man who died after falling through a shed roof.

Father-of-two Andrew Mark Watson, 41, of Lucy Close Farm, Winscales, was found dead in an outdoor shed at his farm last Thursday.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

A Health and Safety Executive spokesman said an investigation had been launched.

Mr Watson, who kept cows and sheep, was married to Alison and had two children, Courtney and Keiran.

Friends and members of the farming community paid tribute to him.

John Bowe, 64, of Hunday Farm, Winscales, who has known Andrew and his family for 36 years, said: “He was a good lad and a hard worker. If I asked him for anything he was always willing. He was very close to his family.”

Alan Smith, of Kelmore Hill Farm, Distington, a friend of Mr Watson’s parents John and Elizabeth, said: “They are a hard-working family. It’s a tragic loss for his wife, two children and parents.”

David Reed, 62, of Low Scaw Farm, High Harrington, who had known him since he was 12, said: “He was an excellent lad, a hard-working gentleman. It was a very sad event.”

Mr Watson was a former pupil of Cockermouth School.

A school spokeswoman said: “We were very sorry to hear of the death of Andrew and send our condolences to his family.”

Mrs Watson used to run Al’s Toys, in Cockermouth, one of the shops badly affected by the 2009 floods.

The couple were members of Branthwaite and District First Responders and volunteered when the group was first set up in 2002.

They helped to organise a barn dance to raise funds when the group was set up.

Jennifer Shaw, 43, of Cherry Lane, Cockermouth, responders team leader, said they left the group due to family commitments about five years ago, but continued to support them during fund-raising drives.

She said: “He would do anything for anybody.

“The group would like to express their heartfelt sympathy.”

An inquest was opened and adjourned on Wednesday and a hearing date has been set for June 21.

First published at 09:59, Friday, 18 January 2013
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk