Tragic Accident Claims Life of Bristol Football Fan After Night-Time Flag Display
A married painter and decorator from Bristol has died after suffering severe head injuries in a fall from a ladder while hanging Union flags on lamp posts near his home. The incident occurred late last year, with an inquest recently concluding the death as accidental.
Details of the Fatal Incident
Paul John Lumber, aged 61, had been watching his beloved football team, Bristol City, play on 22 November. According to evidence presented at Avon Coroner's Court, he had consumed several alcoholic drinks during the match. After returning to his home on Duckmoor Road at approximately 7.30pm, he retrieved his work ladder from his van and went out to decorate the neighbourhood with flags.
Neighbours were alerted by a loud bang and discovered Mr Lumber lying on the ground with his ladder nearby. They immediately called emergency services. Paramedics arrived swiftly and found him with a significant head injury. He was transported to Southmead Hospital for urgent medical attention.
Medical Treatment and Outcome
At Southmead Hospital, Mr Lumber underwent a CT scan which revealed extensive trauma, including a skull fracture. Despite undergoing two operations in the neurosurgery department, his condition deteriorated over the following days. He sadly passed away on 6 December.
Dr Richard Moon, a specialist from the hospital's neurosurgery team, confirmed that the injuries were consistent with a fall from height. The official cause of death was recorded as traumatic brain injury resulting from the accident.
Coroner's Findings and Family Statements
Assistant Coroner Dr Simon Fox KC presided over a short hearing on Thursday, 22 January 2026. He concluded that Mr Lumber's death was accidental, stating he "fell from a ladder while tying a Union Jack flag to a lamp post at night after consuming alcohol."
Coroner's officer Andrew Eastwood provided a statement based on discussions with Mr Lumber's wife, Michelle. She recounted that her husband had gone out to put up flags around the area after the football match. She later heard sirens and discovered him being treated by paramedics, with a Union flag already affixed to a nearby lamp post.
Remembering Paul John Lumber
Mr Lumber was a well-known and passionate supporter of Bristol City. His enthusiasm for football extended beyond the stands; he authored two books titled It All Kicked Off In Bristol, which delved into the culture of football hooliganism based on his personal experiences.
Friends and family have described him as a devoted man whose life centred on his loved ones. In the wake of his passing, a close friend shared with local media that he was "a man whose world revolved around those he loved."
A GoFundMe page organised by his friend Stephen Gardiner has been established to support the family, raising over £5,700 from community donations. This outpouring of support highlights the impact Mr Lumber had on those around him in Bristol.
The tragic event serves as a sombre reminder of the dangers associated with using ladders, particularly during evening hours and after alcohol consumption. The local community continues to mourn the loss of a dedicated family man and ardent football fan.
