Glowing tribute to grandfather who died in fall from Dundee hotel roof.

Garry Anderson fell while cleaning from a height in August 2023. A sheriff paid glowing tribute to a “dedicated” and “highly motivated” hotel employee who died after falling through a walkway roof in Dundee.

Garry Anderson, 62, died from his injuries in hospital on August 24, 2023, two days after the “tragic accident” at the Kingsway West Premier Inn. A fatal accident investigation (FAI) heard how Mr Anderson was power washing the Perspex glass on the walkway before falling.

No health and safety violations on the part of Whitbread plc, the proprietors of Premier Inn, were discovered that may have averted the Dundee grandfather’s death.

The inquiry, held at Dundee’s Justice Hub, heard how, in addition to his greeting duties, Mr Anderson would often assist colleagues with health and safety checks. Sheriff George Way told Mr Anderson’s daughter, “Whatever he was doing, he was doing because he thought he should.

“He wanted it to be the best it could be for his colleagues and guests. “It’s a tragedy that such a self-motivated start cost you his life.

“The court extends its deepest sympathy to you. You should be proud of your dad.”

Mr Anderson was described as an “experienced” staff member and had worked in the Kingsway hotel for more than a decade.

An agreed document between the Crown Office and lawyers acting for Whitbread stated: “He was highly motivated and took great pride in his work.”

Joked about going on roof

Between August 19 and 20, Mr Anderson approached the duty hotel manager and asked if he may clean the outdoor walkway.

He wanted to use a pressure washer from the ground level and stated that the Perspex panels were unclean.

The duty manager informed Mr Anderson that he would not be going up on the roof, to which he agreed and quipped that he was “too old for that.” However, he completed the work on August 22.

The agreed-upon joint minute stated: “The duty manager could see and hear him power washing at ground level. “She then exited the restaurant to check in visitors.

“A customer in the restaurant was aware of a male staff member on the flat roof on the other side of the walkway.”

A second client then heard a “scuff” sound and seen Mr Anderson fall through a crack in the Perspex panels. The duty manager heard a “loud bang” and ran outside to discover Mr. Anderson injured on the ground.

Organ donation

Mr Anderson’s daughter was contacted just after 10.50 a.m., and he was rushed to Ninewells Hospital with a subdural bleeding.

Mr Anderson died just after 3.15pm on August 24, after receiving life support until his organs were given. He died of “uncontrolled descent from height” and blunt force head injuries, according to a post-mortem study.

Mr Anderson’s system contained morphine, which was consistent with the medicine he had received, and no other narcotics or alcohol were detected.

A senior investigator for Dundee City Council was unable to determine how Mr Anderson fell or why he chose to access the flat top.

‘He thought he was doing the right thing’

In September 2023, Whitbread erected edge protection around the flat roof. This decision was made independently, though the inquiry found that the lack of edging was not regarded as a health and safety issue.

Whitbread senior executives attended the court, stating that the company is taking the investigation “very, very seriously”.

Sheriff Way stated, “He chose to go on the roof to clean the Perspex.” Why? Because it violated his sense of proper order. “He believed he was doing the right thing, which is something some individuals must do for their own self-esteem.

“I am satisfied no other external interference of any kind was responsible and this was truly a tragic accident.” A written determination summarising the sheriff’s findings will be released at a later date.

Read more on Straightwinfortoday.com