Friends and colleagues have rallied to support the bereaved family of Wayne Lannon, 46, who lost his life in the line of duty at Chester Zoo coach park on Wednesday (June 14). As this issue went to press on Monday, £1,060 had been raised from 43 supporters at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/colette-scofield to help Wayne’s three children and widow in the wake of his tragic passing.
Shortly after 1230hrs on June 14, emergency services were called to the aid of Wayne, who is understood to have been carrying out repairs to a Higher Ince-based FE Finch Coaches double-decker bus, which had previously taken a school group to the attraction.
According to the Wigan Observer, Paul Schofield, a manager operator company, confirmed Wayne was one of the firm’s employees and that support and assistance was now being offered to his close relatives. He added: “We are just thinking about his family at the moment and have been out today offering our condolences to his wife and three children for their loss.”
Cheshire Police said in a statement: “Officers attended the scene and found that a man had become trapped under a double-decker bus on the coach car park outside the zoo. The bus is believed to have been stationary and unoccupied at the time the incident occurred.
“North West Ambulance Service attended the incident and sadly the man, a 46-year-old from the Wigan area, was pronounced dead at the scene. An police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident is currently underway and the Health and Safety Executive has been informed.”
Chester Zoo Chief Executive, Mark Pilgrim, said: “We can confirm with real sadness that a man passed away in our public coach park. First aid teams and other zoo staff assisted the emergency services, but sadly the man died at the scene. Our thoughts and sympathies are very much with his family and all involved.”
