'Our wonderful person': Family tributes to lawyer Jacob Marx killed in Camden by falling sign

- Lawyer Jacob Marx was crushed to death in Camden by betting shop sign- New Zealander died despite medics' efforts to save him- His family said 'losing him so far away is very hard to come to terms with'
Jacob Marx
Lindsay Watling31 January 2013

The family of a man crushed to death by a falling William Hill betting shop sign today spoke of their heartache at “losing him so quickly and so far away”.

New Zealander Jacob Marx, who was visiting London with his girlfriend, was killed when the 30-foot metal hoarding collapsed on top of him as he walked along a busy Camden street on Monday.

Six people rushed to help lift the board off so paramedics could attempt to resuscitate Mr Marx on the pavement, but he died in hospital after suffering a massive heart attack.

Today, his older brother David Marx described his sibling as a “wonderful person, a special part of our family and a much loved friend and partner”.

He added: “Losing him so quickly and so far away is very hard for us to come to terms with.

“We thank everyone for the love and kind support we’ve received as we try to grapple with what has happened.

“We’d also like to thank the emergency services and people in Camden who came to Jacob’s aid and tried to help save him.

“It means a lot to us that despite him being so far from home, people did their best to look after him.”

Mr Marx, originally from Gisborne, arrived in London last September with his girlfriend Natalie Chung as part of a round-the-world trip of a lifetime.

The 27-year-old, who graduated from the University of Auckland, had been working for international law firm Minter Ellison Rudd Watts in New Zealand.

He later transferred to its Sydney offices, where he practised in its insurance and corporate disputes division.

Friends said Mr Marx and Ms Chung were working in London as they planned the next stop of their trip.

Tributes have been left at the scene of the tragedy in Camden Road.

One, addressed to “Jacko” and including a New Zealand flag, said: “This is not how it was supposed to go. We had so many good plans and so many good memories. I promise never to forget you.”

An investigation has been launched after witnesses claimed the metal hoarding had been hanging loose for up to a month and was blown off by strong winds.

There have also been claims it may have been weakened by maintenance work installing pigeon spikes, while others said part of the wood supporting the sign to the shop front was rotten.

A police and Camden Council investigation is ongoing, while William Hill said it was seeking to “understand the circumstances leading to this deeply regrettable and unforeseen accident”.

The New Zealand High Commission is providing consular assistance to Mr Marx’s family.

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