Son pays tribute to father who fell to his death at Blackburn factory (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Son pays tribute to father who fell to his death at Blackburn factory

9:50am Thursday 2nd February 2012 in Blackburn By Catherine Pye, Reporter

THE son of a Latvian carpenter who fell 40 feet to his death at a Blackburn factory, has paid tribute to “a good man and a good father”.

Ivars Bahmanis, 54, was born in the coastal city of Jurmala, but came to Blackburn three years ago looking for work, following a crisis in the Latvian economy and government.

He was pronounced dead at the scene after falling from the roof of a factory next to the former Canal Works in the Manner Sutton Street area just before midday on Sunday.

The building is currently being renovated and transformed into industrial units.

The police and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are working together to piece together activities at the factory.

Ivars’ son Arnolds, 36, said his father was working informally, having previously been employed in a bakery in Blackburn.

Arnolds spoke to the Lancashire Telegraph from his home in Latvia. He said: “My father trained as a carpenter and served in the Latvian army.

“When he left the army, he got married, and had two children – myself, and Christine, 27.

“He was very talented and passionate about his work. Three years ago in Latvia a crisis started, and he was forced to leave and work in another country.”

Police questioned a number of workers who were at the site on Sunday, but no arrests have been made and a joint investigation has been started with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

DI Jill Johnston of Blackburn CID said: “We believe he has fallen and it’s not suspicious. It looks like a tragic accident.”

A spokesman for the HSE said: “The police are still dealing with this case and a HSE investigator has been to the site.”

Arnolds has been in contact with the Latvian Embassy in London to see how he can get his father’s body home.

He said: “I will take him back to Latvia, and will bury him in Latvia, but I cannot do this until the investigation has ended. He was a good man and good father.”