Stuck mail van stuns Nuneaton mournersDec 19 2007

johnnyp · Post by **johnnyp** » 19 Dec 2007, 16:40

Stuck mail van stuns Nuneaton mournersDec 19 2007

By Steve Evans

A Royal Mail delivery van wedged itself beneath the canopy of Nuneaton crematorium before stunned mourners.

As a funeral cortege was arriving, the high-sided van was forced to reverse out of the way.

But in an embarrassing blunder, the driver ripped the roof off the van and ripped tiles and guttering from a canopy at the Heart of England Crematorium, off Eastboro Way, AttleborouMrs Paxton's son, Gary, 44, said: "We were so overwhelmed by the occasion of mum's funeral that we didn't really notice the delay. The minutes just flew by.

"Afterwards, when we sat down, we saw the funny side of it. Christmas is a busy time for our postmen and we just felt for the driver.

"Accidents happen, and if this was his first day, then I feel really sorry for him."

A spokeswoman at Royal Mail's regional office in Birmingham said: "Royal Mail is sincerely sorry for the distressing incident which happened at the crematorium.

"We have been in touch with the funeral directors to pass on our apologies to the family."

Royal Mail, which has launched a full investigation, said it was the driver's first day making a delivery to the venue. He should have used the rear entrance.

Repairs to the van and the crematorium canopy are expected to run into several thousand pounds.
Staff at the crematorium and Royal Mail have apologised to mourners.

The mishap happened on Monday afternoon - minutes before the funeral of 76-year-old Pearl Paxton, of Whitburn Road, Bedworth.

She used to work in the catering department at Bedworth Civic Hall.

Her funeral was held up by 10 minutes because of the drama.

A spokeswoman for the Heart of England Crematorium said the van collided with the building's porch entrance at 1.15pm.

She said: "At the time there was no service in progress and no one was hurt.

"We have undertaken a full risk assessment of the damage to the canopy, which was found to be structurally sound.

"Whilst we checked the safety of the canopy after the accident we were obliged to delay the next service by approximately 10 minutes.

"We are sorry for any distress this delay may have caused, but we considered it our priority to ensure the safety of the public prior to continuing with the order of service."
Mrs Paxton's son, Gary, 44, said: "We were so overwhelmed by the occasion of mum's funeral that we didn't really notice the delay. The minutes just flew by.

"Afterwards, when we sat down, we saw the funny side of it. Christmas is a busy time for our postmen and we just felt for the driver.

"Accidents happen, and if this was his first day, then I feel really sorry for him."

A spokeswoman at Royal Mail's regional office in Birmingham said: "Royal Mail is sincerely sorry for the distressing incident which happened at the crematorium.

"We have been in touch with the funeral directors to pass on our apologies to the family."

redgateman · Post by **redgateman** » 19 Dec 2007, 20:39

It wasn't me but I do know the driver who it was

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 19 Dec 2007, 21:50

redgateman wrote:It wasn't me but I do know the driver who it was

Is he a "Dead Ringer" for anyone.

redgateman · Post by **redgateman** » 21 Dec 2007, 15:57

I think the only person who wasn't laughing was the one in the coffin

Post by **dpb** » 22 Dec 2007, 19:03

redgateman wrote:It wasn't me but I do know the driver who it was

driving career gone up in smoke.
dead cert for the R.T.A proceedure.
grave error of judgement me thinks

Post by **POSTMAN** » 23 Dec 2007, 12:50

dpb wrote:

driving career gone up in smoke.
dead cert for the R.T.A proceedure.
grave error of judgement me thinks

That has to be the worst....................