A “funny and outrageous” dad died after falling down concrete stairs in a bar.

Stephen Gardiner, 63, was known for being a much-loved DJ and a regular pub-goer in the Ramsgate area.

But while on a night-out in the town, he tragically tripped and fell to the bottom of a flight of steps at the Harbour Bar.

He was airlifted to London hospital and spent four weeks in critical care.

However, tests revealed there was no brain activity and the North Avenue resident’s support machine was switched off.

Now, his sister is calling for carpet to be installed on the stairs at the Harbour Street pub in the hope it could prevent any further accidents.

Carol Hancock told how Stephen was well-known in Ramsgate, and described the dad-of-two and grandad of five as “funny, outrageous, loud and kind”.

“He was a DJ and he was a legend in Ramsgate because he played Motown, reggae and he got everyone up dancing,” she said.

“Sometimes he would take his trousers off and just be in his underpants and people loved it.

“His life was cooking breakfast and going out. If the football was on, he would stay indoors.” Ms Hancock described the tragic accident which happened on March 15 at about 9.30pm. “He fell down the 10 concrete steps,” she said.

“He was transferred up to Kings College Hospital in London by air ambulance and he went through a 12-hour operation.

“He broke his neck, six vertebrae in his spine, fractured four ribs, fractured his collarbone and had severe brain injuries.”

"He was a DJ and he was a legend in Ramsgate because he played Motown, reggae and he got everyone up dancing..."

Mr Gardiner remained in the critical care unit for four weeks - but sadly he could not be saved.

“He was on a dialysis machine because he had kidney failure but then they put him on a life support machine and put a tube down his throat so he could get nutrition,” Ms Hancock said.

“The machines were keeping him alive.

“The only reason they decided to turn the life machine off was because the tests showed no brain activity.

“But they said if he had lived he would be paralysed from the neck down.”

Mr Gardiner had been going down the stairs in the Harbour Bar to the men’s toilets when he fell.

“If there had been carpet there, I don’t think my brother would have died,” Ms Hancock added.

“If you hit concrete, you’re going to hurt yourself more than on carpet. “He must have fallen from the top to the bottom.”

The owner of the Harbour Bar, Denise Smith, has been in touch with Ms Hancock since her brother’s death.

As well as the lack of carpet, Ms Hancock was also concerned about there only being a handrail on the right-side of the steps and the toilets being downstairs.

Ms Smith said: “Myself, staff and customers were shocked about this tragic accident. “Stephen was a valued customer and loved by all.

“I spoke to Carol (on Monday, April 25). I have confirmed to her that I would look into all three points raised by her and, where possible, action will be taken.”

Mr Gardiner’s funeral will be taking place at Margate Crematorium on Wednesday, May 6, at 1pm, with his wake being held at The York Arms, Kings Street, Ramsgate, from 2pm.