Chalkwell Road in Sittingbourne was blocked off after the accident

by Stephen Waite

A builder who died after the scaffold platform he was on collapsed has been described as a loving, family man.

David Vandepeer, of Parsonage Lane, Bredgar, was thought to have been working on a house in Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne, when the accident happened.

Medics were called, including the Kent Air Ambulance crew, at about 11.15am on Tuesday and fought to save him at the scene but were unable to revive him.

Pat Taylor, 66, of Giles Young Court, Milton Regis, said he had known Mr Vandepeer since their school days.

"He was at Westlands and I was at Borden. We used to walk part of the way together," he said.

Pat said he had been "absolutely shaken" when he heard what happened.

He paid tribute to Mr Vandepeer and said he had been a keen golfer and played at Sittingbourne and Milton Regis Golf Club.

"He was an out-and-out family man," he said. "He had a lovely wife."

Chalkwell Road resident Mario Hawkins, 50, a nurse at the Frank Lloyd Unit in Sittingbourne, said his thoughts were with the family.

"I was shocked that something like that had happened right next door. I feel so sorry for his family.

"I was out when it happened but came back in the afternoon and the police were still out the back."

Other neighbours said the first they knew of the accident was when they heard the helicopter and sirens.

Chalkwell Road was closed off from the Staplehurst Road roundabout to London Road until 3pm.

Firefighters were also called and removed the scaffolding so ambulance staff could get to Mr Vandepeer.

The accident has been referred to the Health and Safety Executive and an inspector has made initial inquiries.

Meanwhile, a post-mortem examination is due to take place on Monday and an inquest is expected to be opened and adjourned the following day.

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