TRIBUTES have been paid to a window cleaner who died while on his round.
Robert Veater, 71, of Durham Road, Sunderland, was killed after falling from a ladder when working on a house in Hindmarch Drive, West Boldon.
Mr Veater, a dad-of-three and grandad-of-five was taken to South Tyneside District Hospital after the fall but died of his injuries.
Mr Veater’s family told the Echo they were too upset to speak about the tragedy.
Stunned neighbours today told of their shock at his death. Mark Spinks, who lives just doors away from the house where the accident happened, said: “It was horrific.”
The 30-year-old, who lives with partner Sherry Alderson, 29, said: “We heard the ambulance and the police cars and went outside to see what had happened.
“He was just lying on the ground. It was horrific.
Mr Spinks, dad to Mark, eight, and Katie, two, added: “He was only trying to make an honest living and for that to happen is terrible.”
Pat Saunders, of Hardie Drive, in West Boldon, said Mr Veater would be hugely missed by residents.
The 66-year-old, whose windows had been cleaned by Mr Veater for the past 30 years, said: “Bob’s death has got everybody round here really upset.
“He was absolutely great.
“He’d seen all of my kids grow up and me grandkids too.
“He had been amazing over the years.
“He was lovely to everyone and with there being a lot of older people where we live he was very pally with them.”
A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: “At 10.23am on November 8 police received a report from the Ambulance Service of an injured man at Hindmarch Drive, in Boldon.
“Officers attended and a 71-year-old man was taken to South Tyneside Hospital where he subsequently died.
“A report has been prepared for the coroner.”
An inquest by South Tyneside coroner Terence Carney into Mr Veater’s death has been opened and adjourned.
Mr Veater’s funeral takes place tomorrow at 11.30am at Sunderland Crematorium.
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