Bell-ringer falls to his death in front of shocked congregation at couple's church wedding

13 April 2012

A bell-ringer plunged 30ft to his death seconds after a bride and groom tied the knot in a romantic church wedding ceremony.



The bride and groom, and their assembled guests were walking out of the church when 80-year-old bell-ringer Jack Sturgeon fell 30ft down a church tower, moments after ringing the bells for the happy occasion.

His devastated wife Beryl, 81, was in church at the time.

The newly-married couple Brian Keane and Kelly Brown were horrified to be told of the tragedy as they gathered for photos outside.

Off-duty firefighters at the wedding dashed to Mr Sturgeon's aid, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tragic scene: Jack Sturgeon died at St Mary's Church in Mildenhall, Suffolk, after ringing the bells for a wedding service

Tragic scene: Jack Sturgeon died at St Mary's Church in Mildenhall, Suffolk, after ringing the bells for a wedding service

After ringing the bells, he is believed to have climbed a second set of stairs to inspect the clock when he suddenly fell at St Mary's Church in Mildenhall, Suffolk, about 2.15pm on Saturday.

Mr Sturgeon, a bell-ringer of 40 years, suffered a suspected heart attack, however it is still unclear if it caused him to slip off the stairs, or whether the fall triggered the condition.

The Reverend Stefanie Hodges, team vicar at Mildenhall expressed her sadness over the freak tragedy.

'This is such a shock and we are all absolutely devastated by this tragedy.

'Jack was a very humble man who would do anything for anyone and he will be sadly missed.'

She said everyone's thoughts and prayers were now with his widow, Beryl.

Reverend Hodges said the incident made her feel like she had been 'hit by a train'.

'Beryl has a strong faith just like Jack but her life has just collapsed.

'He was a lovely dignified man - the sort of person who turned on the lights when he walked into a room.

'Jack was wholly dependable and totally devoted to the church.'

Reverend Hodges said Mr Sturgeon was a '100 per cent reliable' bell-ringer.

'All we can say is that at least he died doing what he loved best in our church, a place he loved.'

She said the newlyweds, Mr Keane and Miss Brown, had also been shattered by the tragedy.

'They're local people and they've been left devastated.

'They'll never ever forget what happened on what should have been the happiest day of their lives.'

Mr Sturgeon had worked as an engineer at Parker's Mill in Mildenhall before retirement.

Following the accident fire crews and paramedics, from Mildenhall, Newmarket, and Bury St Edmunds, were called to the church.

Assistant Divisional Officer Pat Dacey of Suffolk Fire Service, said Mr Sturgeon slipped when he climbed to the second floor.

'He sustained serious injuries which ultimately proved fatal.

'Although it is impossible to know where exactly he fell from, it could have been as much as 30ft.'

Officer Dacey commended the swift actions of the off-duty firefighters at the wedding.

'Our primary role was working with the paramedics to get him down but unfortunately he died very shortly after the accident.'

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