Tributes are being paid across Witton Gilbert village for 17-year-old Shay Bladen, tragically killed in an accident at the Sniperley Park DH1 homes development site.
He lived in Witton Gilbert and was a construction worker working for a subcontractor for Esh Group, which is carrying out groundworks on the private housing development site which is in the Witton Gilbert parish.
Shay was seriously injured in the head and neck when a concrete pipe fell on him before 1pm on Thursday 16 April. North East Ambulance Service was called to Sniperley Farm Road shortly before 1pm and sent an ambulance crew, a specialist paramedic, two clinical team leaders and a duty officer to the scene. It requested support from the Great North Air Ambulance Service, which attended by road. An ambulance rushed him to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Newcastle but sadly he died on Friday night.
His heartbroken parents Lee and Samantha said he was ” Shay was the most genuine, loving, caring lad you could ever wish to meet, he lit up every room making everyone smile even on the worst days.”
He loved boxing and the gym and also “loved work and his job and just constantly being on the go. He was a genuine friend to many and the most amazing, caring, big brother to Ellis and Edie. Shay also loved spending time with his long-term girlfriend Libby.
“As his parents, we couldn’t be more proud of the hard working, determined young man Shay turned out to be. We love you and seeing how highly everyone speaks about you just shows the type of person you were.
“Our handsome brown-eyed boy – forever 17.”
Shay Bladen day
Village organisation Children’s Hopes and Dreams (CHAD) will name the village day on Saturday 30 May the “Shay Bladen Village Day”. John Nixon says: “We have a full afternoon of events for the kids and it’s all free so get yourselves down.”
Condolence on Facebook include: “Unbelievably heartbreaking. Love and condolences to Shay’s family. A village in mourning taken far too young. Life is so cruel sometimes”. “My heart goes out to you and your family”. “Can’t put into words how devastating and heartbreaking this is. My heart goes out to Shay’s family”. “I’m so sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Sending lots of love and strength.”
The funeral notice (below) says Shay will be celebrated at Durham Crematorium on 15 May at 11:30am, donations in lieu of flowers to local boxing clubs. “Everyone is welcome afterwards to Witton Gilbert Club, May Lea DH7 6RH”.
Police and Health and Safety investigate
The nationwide Health and Safety Executive is investigating alongside Durham police and inspectors visited the site on the day of the accident. Police Detective Chief Inspector Andy Crowe said: “This has been a truly tragic incident and I would like to offer Shay’s family and friends the sincere condolences of everyone at Durham Constabulary.”
“We are carrying out a joint investigation with our colleagues at the Health and Safety Executive to determine the exact circumstances as to how this tragedy unfolded.”
An Esh Group spokesperson said: “We are extremely saddened to learn that our subcontractor’s employee, Shay Bladen, has passed away following the serious incident on site at Sniperley Park in Durham. We extend our deepest condolences to his family and friends who are in our thoughts at this tragic time.”
Since the incident occurred, the contractor has worked alongside the police and the HSE “to assist a thorough investigation”.
A spokesperson for developer Bellway said the firm was “extremely saddened” to hear of Bladen’s death.
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