‘He died doing the job he loved’ - tributes to Norwich man who fell from crane

The Perenco Gas Terminal at Bacton.

Mobile crane operator David Eastick, 60, suffered a traumatic brain injury after an unwitnessed fall from his crane at Bacton Gas Terminal.

Senior coroner Jacqueline Lake told yesterday's hearing that Mr Eastick, who had lived in Nasmith Road, Norwich, was not doing anything that he should not have been at the time of the incident on February 28 this year.

He died at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, the day after the accident – and a jury took just 15 minutes to conclude his death was accidental.

In a written statement, Mr Eastick's family said he was a 'fantastic' man who was a friend to many and will be greatly missed.

'David spent most of his working life operating cranes, a job he loved,' his family said. 'We recall many times when you would often find him cleaning his beloved crane in his free time to make sure it was pristine.'

Mr Eastick had been employed by Quinto Crane and Plant Hire, and managing director Oliver Arnold said he was a capable worker who could operate any crane in the fleet.

'Our thoughts are always with the Eastick family,' he said. 'Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel about David Eastick's death.

'Quinto Crane and Plant Hire lost a true hard worker and friend.'

The two-day jury inquest heard Mr Eastick was wearing personal protective equipment, was working in line with risk assessments and health and safety inspectors flagged no major issues with the crane or its set-up.

There was circumstantial evidence that he may have tripped over a clip that stowed a ladder, but nobody witnessed what happened.

A fundraising night for the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Nelson's Journey has been organised in memory of Mr Eastick.

The evening of music, live entertainment and family fun will take place on Saturday, August 20 next year at The Talk, in Oak Street, Norwich.

Tickets cost £8 per person and can be bought by emailing night2remember@outlook.com