The Loss of a Father: Those Final Hours

David Cameron with his father Ian and mother Mary on the
campaign trail earlier this year.

There is nothing quite like the phone call that comes telling you that a parent who is far away, at least a plane flight, has taken suddenly ill and may have only hours to live.

For me that call came in February 2007 just like the one that the Prime Minister David Cameron received today. All other thoughts run out of your head, the only initial thought is get me there as quickly as I can. You drop everything, just like in a fire drill and work, live, everything takes a backseat. While entourage may not have been as well organised or big as the Prime Ministers it was still my brother and sister-in-law who were already in Northern Ireland that arranged my travel, whilst I got ready to be in a position to fly.

Whether it is Easyjet or with the assistance of a helicopter from the French Prime Minster once you start moving your one hope is that you get there on time. For me sadly I was starting my descent into Belfast International and had just located the Marie Curie Centre on a clear night, at the moment my father passed on. David Cameron it appears was somewhat more fortunate and made in time for his father's last moment in this life.

Whether there were any last words exchanged that is a matter for the family, but he managed to get those last final moments that in years to come will seem so dear.

My condolences to and thoughts and prayers are with David Cameron and all his family as they now prepare for the funeral of Ian Cameron. Not only today has he lost a father but not too long ago also a son.

Forth Bridge Worker Dies in Fall

Sixty three men had been killed in its construction, but you rarely in these days of health and safety hear of the number who die maintaining the Forth Bridge being added to. Last night a construction worker fell 150ft unto scaffolding at about 2100 and despite the efforts of police, paramedics and lifeboat crews he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Maintaining the Bridges across the Forth is an important, year round role in keeping the communication channels open. Us mere passengers or car users (on the Road Bridge) forget how potentially dangerous such upkeep can be if something goes wrong. This is the first recorded death of a worker on the Forth Bridge for 32 years.

My thoughts are with the family, co-workers and friends of the construction worker who died on the bridge last night.

UPDATE: A second worker has been reported to have fallen from the Tay Rail Bridge also to his death.

UPDATE 2: The names of the men have now been revealed as Robert MacDonald, 52 of Harthill in the Forth incident and David Rodger, 44 of Cowdenbeath in the Tay incident. My thoughts are before are with their respective families.