Tributes have been paid to an experienced and popular Tees scaffolder who died in a fall at a power station.
As reported in yesterday's Gazette, Michael Robson, 49, died after falling 60ft inside the chimney at Eggborough Power Station, near Selby, Yorkshire.
Mr Robson, from Aire Street, Middlesbrough, known as 'Basher', leaves a partner Pauline, two brothers, Tony, 45, and Ian, 50, and many friends. He had been a scaffolder for more than 20 years.
His family in the Gresham area of Middlesbrough are struggling to come to terms with the tragedy.
A family member, who did not want to be named, said: "He was a very genuine, lovely person with many friends all over the country. He was hard working and very safety conscious.
"He worked all over the country and abroad and built up good long-term friendships within the scaffolding industry."
The Health and Safety Executive have launched an inquiry into the accident.
Mr Robson was working in the main chimney stack to reduce sulphur emissions from the station.
It is understood he was in his safety harnesses at the time of the fall.
Mr Robson was working for contractors H & A Steeplejacks, based in Snowdon Road, Middlesbrough. His family praised the firm for the help they have offered.
The coroner for the Western District of North Yorkshire, Geoff Fell, opened and adjourned an inquest into Mr Robson's death in Selby.
Mr Robson is the second Teesside steeplejack to die at Eggborough in the last three years. In July 2002 David Jamieson 55, of Upper Albion Street, Middlesbrough, was working on the main chimney there when he fell.
