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| Brian Cullen, window cleaner known affectionately as “Tubby” to his friends. |
Window cleaner Brian Cullen died in ‘12ft’ fall: Neighbours have spoken of their disbelief after a popular window cleaner died after falling 12ft off his ladder yesterday. Brian Cullen, known affectionately as “Tubby” to his friends, had been on a regular round on West Granton Road when he came off his ladder. One witness said he landed on metal railings after falling the short distance. The 56-year-old was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but later died from head injuries.
Peter and Margaret McQueen, who live a few doors down from his home on Ferry Gait Walk, said he was “a lovely man” who everyone knew. They said he ran TCs Window Cleaning Services with his son, Mark, and must have climbed his ladder thousands of times in his career.
Retired Margaret, 70, who had her windows cleaned by “Tubby” since she moved in seven years ago, described him as “such a nice person” and the Cullens as a “lovely” family. “Mark will be devastated. He was around here every day at 7am. They would go out together in the morning cleaning windows.
Peter and Margaret McQueen, who live a few doors down from his home on Ferry Gait Walk, said he was “a lovely man” who everyone knew. They said he ran TCs Window Cleaning Services with his son, Mark, and must have climbed his ladder thousands of times in his career.
Retired Margaret, 70, who had her windows cleaned by “Tubby” since she moved in seven years ago, described him as “such a nice person” and the Cullens as a “lovely” family. “Mark will be devastated. He was around here every day at 7am. They would go out together in the morning cleaning windows.
“When I saw the van outside their house I thought it was strange. “It’s such a tragedy. He said he was only doing low windows because it was getting him a row. It’s terrible that this has happened.”
Husband Peter, 76, added: “He will certainly be missed by a lot of people. Tubby was liked by everyone.” Emergency services were called to the two-storey flat at 10.10am after a client saw him fall. Rachael Napier, 68, who called the emergency services after finding Brian trapped, said: “I ran out and he was hanging on the fence. “He must have hit his chest as he was coming down. It’s a tragedy. Everybody knew him. He was a lovely guy.”
But the dad-of-two suffered massive head injuries and doctors failed to save him. Student Ammar Ibrahim, 17, who lives in the neighbouring flat, said: “The police were knocking on doors asking if anyone had seen anything. It’s so sad to think that he’s died.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he had been washing windows on that street “for years”. She said: “When you looked at the ladder and the height he’s fallen, you just wouldn’t expect it. The poor man. Everyone knew him, it’s such a shame.” His death is at least the second in the city this year from window-related falls.
In March window fitter Mark Paterson, 32, fell 70ft from the top floor of a tenement on Inverleith Row, while window cleaner Martin Greig survived a 40ft plunge last month. A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. “He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburghfor treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he died within the hospital. “Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.”
Husband Peter, 76, added: “He will certainly be missed by a lot of people. Tubby was liked by everyone.” Emergency services were called to the two-storey flat at 10.10am after a client saw him fall. Rachael Napier, 68, who called the emergency services after finding Brian trapped, said: “I ran out and he was hanging on the fence. “He must have hit his chest as he was coming down. It’s a tragedy. Everybody knew him. He was a lovely guy.”
But the dad-of-two suffered massive head injuries and doctors failed to save him. Student Ammar Ibrahim, 17, who lives in the neighbouring flat, said: “The police were knocking on doors asking if anyone had seen anything. It’s so sad to think that he’s died.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he had been washing windows on that street “for years”. She said: “When you looked at the ladder and the height he’s fallen, you just wouldn’t expect it. The poor man. Everyone knew him, it’s such a shame.” His death is at least the second in the city this year from window-related falls.
In March window fitter Mark Paterson, 32, fell 70ft from the top floor of a tenement on Inverleith Row, while window cleaner Martin Greig survived a 40ft plunge last month. A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. “He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburghfor treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he died within the hospital. “Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive.”
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| Hospital: Brian Cullen died after falling from his ladder. |
Window cleaner who died after falling from ladder named locally: A window cleaner who died after falling from a ladder in Edinburgh has been named locally. Brian Cullen was working at flats on West Granton Road in the city when he fell at around 10.30am on Tuesday. The 56-year-old was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary but later died from serious head injuries. An investigation has been launched by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive.
A spokesman for the force said: "Police in Edinburgh responded to an address in West Granton Road at around 10.35am on Tuesday 5th November following reports that a male fell from a ladder while working in the street. "He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment after sustaining a serious head injury. However, he died within the hospital. "Enquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this incident are ongoing and officers are liaising with the Health and Safety Executive."
