A WORKMAN died outside a house on Monday evening.

Paramedics were called at 7.40pm to Stanstead Crescent in Woodingdean, Brighton, after reports a man had collapsed outside a house.

The man, who was working on the drive of the house for UK Power Networks, was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Yesterday morning UK Power Network workmen placed flowers at the house.

Residents said around three work men had been digging on the drive shortly before the incident.

A 47-year-old woman, who lives across the road from the house, said: “I went over there around 7pm to ask if the workmen wanted a cup of tea.

“Later on I noticed a spotlight from inside the ambulance shining into my window. I could see the silhouettes of the paramedics, doing CPR. There were four paramedics around him working on him.

“A police car then arrived, and then a private ambulance to take the body away.

“I saw the woman who owns the house leave last night. I was shocked as I was not sure if the guy I asked if he wanted tea was the man who died. I feel sorry for his family.”

Another neighbour said: “There were about three UK Power Networks vans. Around 6.30pm you could hear a big drill going off.

“Then not long after I saw flashing lights from the paramedics. At first there was two of the response cars, followed by a ambulance, and then a police car

“The UK Power Network workers arrived back at the house yesterday morning to place flowers.”

Neighbour Charlotte Findley, 26, said: “It was after 7pm I noticed a row of cars: paramedics cars, an ambulance and police car.

“I could hear them talking and saw a body on a stretcher being transferred into a private ambulance.

“Earlier I could hear the men drilling. It sad he was just doing his job.”

When The Argus visited the drive of the house yesterday, UK Power Networks barriers were up around a mound of soil, where underground cables are believed to be.

UK Power Networks is Britain’s largest power network, responsible for delivering electricity to more than eight million homes and business in London, South East and the East of England.

A spokesman for the company said: “UK Power Networks confirms, with great sadness, that one of our employees died on Monday night.We offer our heartfelt condolences to our employee’s family and friends for their tragic loss. They were a highly valued member of our team who will be much missed by colleagues.”

The firm would not confirm the nature of the work the team was doing at the property.

A South East Coast Ambulance (SECAmb) spokesman said: “The call came in at 7.40pm from Stanstead Crescent, Brighton, to reports that a man had collapsed.

“Two paramedic cars and an ambulance were sent to the scene, but sadly despite best efforts the man died. He was pronounced dead the scene.”

The spokesman could not give any further information on how the man died.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “We were made aware by the ambulance service at 8.57pm that a man had died at the address in Stanstead Crescent. There were no suspicious circumstances and the coroner has been informed.”

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was contacted for comment but had not responded by the time The Argus went to press.

  • You can send your tributes to andre.rhoden-paul@theargus.co.uk