Richard Ayling, a 40-year-old newly-wed father of three, has died after falling several floors from a rooftop bar in Birmingham city centre. The incident occurred at Herman and Cooper on Colmore Row on May 3, and Mr Ayling passed away the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, surrounded by his family.
An inquest opened at Birmingham Coroner’s Court this week, where the coroner described his death as “violent and unnatural”. The hearing has been adjourned until August 10.
The venue expressed its condolences, stating it was “deeply saddened” by the incident. Mr Ayling, a maintenance engineer originally from Germany, lived in Newhall near Swadlincote, Derbyshire, with his wife Amy and their children Ronnie, Ellie, and Logan.
A GoFundMe page set up by Duncan Watson has raised over £14,750 to support the family. The page described Mr Ayling as a “proud and devoted dad” who dedicated himself to serving others, with over 20 years in the rail industry and work as a part-time firefighter.
