Tributes flood in for dead dad
10:10am Wednesday 18th April 2001
TRIBUTES have flooded in for the popular father-of-two who was killed in a freak car park accident.
Fred Allison, 50, died from chest injuries when a height restriction barrier went through the windscreen of a mechanical road cleaner he was driving in the car park off Chislehurst High Street.
The tragedy happened less than two weeks after Mr Allison had returned from a family holiday in Spain celebrating his only grandson's first birthday.
Last week family and friends gathered in his home in Riddons Road, Grove Park, to comfort his childhood sweetheart and wife of 27 years Linda, 44, and two sons, Darren, 27, and David 25.
Surrounded by her closest relatives Linda, who grew up in the house next door to Fred, was still in a state of shock five days after hearing the devastating news. She said: “It still hasn't sunk in yet. I don't know what I am going to do next.”
Mr Allison's sister-in-law Kim Saunders, 39, said the council worker was dedicated to his family and “utterly devoted” to his grandson Callum.
She said: “Everything he did was for his family and since Callum was born he was even more of a family man.”
The tributes to Mr Allison came on the day an inquest into his death was opened.
A police investigation will look into the circumstances of Mr Allison's death and will include a detailed examination of the condition of the 6ft 6ins high barrier.
Bromley Council spokesman, Jason Humm, said he could not comment on the details of the council's investigation until it was complete.