Lorry boss dies in fall

The boss of a Black Country haulage firm has died after falling from the top of a tanker as he unloaded fuel.

Raymond Hughes, who had owned Ray Hughes Haulage in West Bromwich for 28 years, was unloading diesel when the accident happened.

Mr Hughes died at Bristol Royal Hospital last Thursday following the accident, which happened while he was involved in contract work in Avonmouth.

The 67-year-old was born and bred in Dudley but had recently moved to Coton in Alveley so he could care for his beloved horses.

His heartbroken widow Carol today paid tribute to her "hard-working" husband.

She said Ray was a popular man who had built his Ryders Green Road business up from nothing."He was such a strong character, he would help anybody and was so popular and pleasant that people would always go to him" she said.

"He was 67 going on 27 and such a practical joker but he was such a hard-working man. He bought one lorry and built the business up until eventually he had 16 lorries.

"In the road haulage business everybody knows each other and there are so many people who will remember him. He was so well-liked and so special, he made friends wherever he went."

When he wasn't hard at work, Mr Hughes liked nothing more than to spend time in the countryside riding his horse Tipperary Fox.

"He loved his horses and would always go off galloping," Mrs Hughes said.

Mrs Hughes said it was hoped son Warren would carry on the family haulage firm. Mr Hughes leaves daughter Vanessa, step-son Mark, step-daughter Sheri and a granddaughter, Lois.

His funeral service will be held at St James's Church in Dudley next Friday. A horse-drawn carriage will lead the hearse to Gornal for burial.

By Emma Sloper