A SCHOOL community has expressed its shock after a caretaker fell from a ladder and died while working during the summer holidays.

David Mobsby had worked at Blatchington Mill School in Nevill Avenue in Hove for the past 17 years.

He was known as a considerate and dedicated member of staff at the school, who gave up his own time to help drive the school minibus for pupils after-school clubs.

The 71-year-old suffered head injuries after falling from the ladder on Friday, August 3 and sadly later died at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, we can now confirm.

After pupils returned to school last week it was announced that a tree will be planted in his memory, as he had a keen love of horticulture.

They will also be naming one of the school minibuses in his honour.

In a statement, the school said: “David embodied the very best of Blatchington Mill. He was kind, he was considerate of others, and he found happiness each day – happiness that he shared with those around him.

“As a community the school is trying to come to terms with the idea that he is no longer with us.

“He will be missed by a great many people, and in a great many, big, and small, ways. His colleagues, better described as his friends, all have fond memories of the contribution he made to their lives each day, bringing a smile, some cheer, and his customary kindness to so many.

“We will miss him, and we will remember him.”

Mr Mobsby described the school as his own “extended family”, and his family have been included in the work with the school to remember him.

An investigation into his death has been launched by the police and the Health and Safety Executive.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

Officers were called to the school at 1.40pm after he had fallen 2.5 metres from the ladder.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition by paramedics, and sadly died soon after.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned last month while the authorities carry out their investigations.

After the news, Brighton and Hove City Council’s head of school organisation Richard Barker wrote an email to headteachers.

He said an internal investigation is also underway by the council and said staff at the school were “distressed” by the incident.

In the email he said: “This tragic incident highlights the importance of health and safety in our working environment, and all senior managers, headteachers and chairs of governors have been written to, to reinforce the need to ensure their safety management arrangements are robust.”

Mr Mobsby’s inquest will resume on Wednesday, October 19.