Scots dad dies after freak fall at his own retirement party

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A Hibs-mad dad celebrating his final day working with the Scottish courts was killed by a freak fall at his own retirement party. Frank "Bomber" Crawford, 68, was in a High Street pub with pals when he plummeted down a staircase, suffering catastrophic injuries.

It came just hours after he'd been lauded at a ceremony at the city's historic Parliament Hall - which is now part of the Court of Session but was Scotland's original parliament until 1707.

It's believed several of Scotland's most senior judges joined the celebration to mark a career spanning more than 30 years.
Frank worked as a court superintendent, a managerial administrative role overseeing the smooth running of the courts.

He famously worked at the Scottish court in the Netherlands, set up at Camp Zeist between 1999 and 2002, on the Lockerbie bombing case for the trial of two Libyans.

There, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was convicted of 270 counts of murder in connection with the 1988 bombing, whilst the second accused, Lamin Khalifah Fhimah, was acquitted.

After the official Friday evening send off for the popular court worker, Frank and a number of friends made the short journey across the Royal Mile to continue celebrating in the Albanach, a traditional Scots pub on the corner of the Royal Mile and Cockburn Street.

But Frank, who volunteered extensively with city charity, the Hibs Community Foundation, was later found at the bottom of a staircase suffering severe injuries. Paramedics treated him on the scene, and he was rushed to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

However, after spending four days in intensive care, Frank succumbed to his injuries, with his official cause of death being recorded as hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, cardiac arrest, fracture of cervical spine and a fall from height.

Frank grew up in Edinburgh and lived in the city his whole life, with he and wife Kathryn (Katie) settling in Leith together in recent years. Katie wrote a grief-stricken post on the day of his death and said: "I can't really believe I'm writing this.

"After the best, magnificent retirement affair in Parliament Hall, which was attended by so many from all walks of life, a testament to how much Frank was loved and respected, he had the most horrific accident.

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"He has been on life support for a few days but he was never going to survive these injuries. He passed away peacefully today at 2:30pm."

She also thanked friends and family for an outpouring of love and support for her and Frank's son, Daniel. Katy has raised £1,200 in Franks name which she hopes to donate to the ICU (intensive care unit) at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Katie added: "Myself, Dan and all our families are so grateful for all the love and support we've received during what is the most horrendous time of our lives.

"Rest in peace Frank, you deserve to put your feet up. We all love and adore you and you have left a gaping hole in a lot of hearts. I just hope you realise that. You've got your angel wings now Frank, look out for us all. I love you with all my heart. Til we meet again."

Mourners paid their last respects to Frank at his funeral last week (THU, DEC 12) at Warriston Crematorium - with those attending urged to sport a splash of green in honour of his "love of the Hibees."

A spokesperson for the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service said: "It is with great sadness we learned that Frank Crawford court superintendent, Supreme Courts, sadly passed away on Wednesday, 27 November.

"Frank was a respected and much-loved colleague and an integral part of the Supreme Courts team at Parliament House in Edinburgh for over 33 years.

"Frank's dedication, experience and character will be sorely missed by all that knew him. Our thoughts are with Frank's family and friends at this time."

A spokesperson for the Hibs Community Foundation also said: "The Hibernian Community Foundation is deeply saddened to announce the passing of dedicated volunteer and much-loved community member Frank Crawford.

"Frank was a lifelong Hibee and was committed to volunteering at all community meals he could attend; a bright spark for all who community meal attendees.

"We will miss Frank's spirit, commitment and general demeanour: a truly valued member of the Hibernian family. A spokesperson for the Scottish Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to the accident scene at 9:40pm on November 22.

They added: "We dispatched one ambulance, one critical care paramedic and one rapid resuscitation response unit to the scene. One patient was transported to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary."

A Police Scotland spokesperson also confirmed they attended and added: "We were called to assist with a medical matter by Scottish Ambulance Service. It's not one for us to give further details on."

The City of Edinburgh Council has also since confirmed that the incident was not reported to their health and safety department, so no investigation is currently underway.

The Procurator Fiscal's office has confirmed there will be no fatal accident inquiry nor investigation into Frank's death.
Greene King, which owns and operates the Albanach, has been contacted for comment.

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