An Essex electrician was the eighth victim of the major storms which swept over much of Britain.
Ken Dowd, 50, of Parsonage Road, Boxted, near Colchester, was trying to stop the asbestos roof of a garage near his home flying off in Sunday's high winds.
But it flew off, striking him on the head.
Despite the swift arrival of paramedics, the father-of-three was pronounced dead on arrival at Colchester General Hospital on Sunday afternoon. It is thought he died instantly.
Today his wife Mary, 52, paid tribute to her husband, a maintenance man at Essex University, describing him as a real character.
"When the wind really got up Ken went outside to help our neighbour who was trying to save the roof of his garage.
"Ken told our youngest son to go indoors because it was dangerous but minutes later I saw him collapse.
"He was lying on the ground unconscious and I could see he had a serious injury. The asbestos sheet had hit him on the forehead. Another six inches and he would have been all right," she said.
Mr Dowd had three children - Paul 28, Michelle, 24 and 12-year-old James.
Published Thursday October 31, 2002
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