Name: Heartbroken dad pays tribute to apprentice, 16, killed in Avonmouth explosion
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Heartbroken dad pays tribute to apprentice, 16, killed in Avonmouth explosion

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Luke Wheaton's dad Matt has paid tribute after the Wessex Water worker was killed along with Michael James, 64, Brian Vickery, 63, and Raymond White, 57, in the explosion near BristolThis is the first picture of a 16-year-old boy who was among four workers killed in a large explosion at a waste water treatment plant. Rugby player Luke Wheaton, from Bristol, was an apprentice at and died alongside Michael James, 64, Brian Vickery, 63, and Raymond White, 57. Luke's heartbroken dad Matt paid tribute to his "best mate" as he shared a picture of the teenager smiling while wearing a white helmet and black jumper both featuring Wessex Water's logo. Mr Wheaton wrote on Facebook: "You gave me and mum 16 great years it should have been many many more, a big hole has been put into our hearts and will never ever be filled. Have you been affected by this story? EmailRead MoreRelated ArticlesRead MoreRelated Articles"You our and will always be the big part in our hearts that now is not there, you gave so much to any event laughter/fun by your words, jokes, comments we will miss you and will always love you for the rest of our life's and I hope will carry on beyond. "You were my son, my best mate, my drinking partner, my minder and much much more. "Mum's gorgeous babe, everything wished for in a son. "LUKE TAKEN FROM US SO TRAGICALLY." He added: "We are so proud of you in what you have achieved in your short life.Video Unavailable"You were so proud to get an apprenticeship and wear your uniform and it should of lasted for more than 3 months. "God bless Luke our great son we wish you were still with us in life and not soul." Devastated friends, the North Bristol Rugby Football Club and staff at Luke's former school have also been paying tribute to the young man following the tragedy which happened just three weeks before Christmas. Luke and the three men died in a blast involving one of the chemical tanks at the site in Avonmouth, near Bristol, at about 11.20am on Thursday.The blast happened in a silo that held treated biosolids before they are recycled to land as an organic soil conditioner. One of the victims is said to have been thrown 150 metres (500ft) into a nearby lake. It is understood that Mr James was a contractor working at the site, while Mr Vickery and Mr White were employees of Wessex Water. A fifth person who was injured in the explosion is now at home and investigators will speak to them when appropriate, said police. An investigation into the cause of the explosion continues. As tributes were paid to Luke, a close friend posted a picture of the pair together, writing: "I lost one of my best mates. "Sport together, City together, Holidays together, School together, so much fun together. Always be missed. RIP Luke." Friends have offered condolences to Luke's family, with one writing on : "There aren’t any words we can say to comfort. Our hearts go out to you, Paula &amp; the family. "Luke will be missed by all, he was such a caring lovely lad. Sending all our love." Another wrote: "Sending you are love &amp; thoughts Matt &amp; Paula at this terrible time. "Can't believe it, such a wonderful young man taken to soon will be missed terribly." A third added: "There are no words Matt. Our hearts are truly broken for you and Paula. You are all in our thoughts sending you all our love." Bradley Stoke Community School wrote on "We were shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic passing of our former student Luke Wheaton in the Avonmouth tragedy. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time." North Bristol Rugby Football Club wrote on "Such terribly sad news that one of our Colts, Luke Wheaton was tragically lost in the accident in Avonmouth. "It's absolutely heartbreaking." Mr Vickery's grieving widow, Jane, said her son also works at the water recycling plant and narrowly missed being caught up in the blast. Mr Vickery had worked for for Wessex Water for more than 40 years and was nearing retirement. Speaking on her doorstep in Clevedon, Somerset, on Friday, Mrs Vickery said: "Brian had worked there for 42 years. Our son works there but had a day off yesterday (Thursday). "If he had been there he'd be dead too. We didn't hear anything for about five hours after it happened." One of the cards left at a memorial at the scene paid tribute to Mr Vickery. It read: "Thinking of my workmates and good friend Brian - love Les, Jayne and family." Witnesses said the explosion was like a "bomb" and shook buildings in the industrial area. One eyewitness at the nearby Geneco plant said: “They didn’t stand a chance.”Video UnavailableWitnesses to the aftermath of the explosion described hearing a "boom and echo" which shook the ground, followed by "a lot of commotion". Sean Nolan said: "It was quite short-lived, I'd say about two or three seconds. Sort of a boom and echo and then it just went quiet. "That was it. There was no smoke, there was no after-effects of it." Fire crews described a "very challenging" scene and employed search and rescue dogs in the hunt for casualties following the blast at about 11.20am.Avon and Somerset Police, which declared a major incident, said a cordon at the site was likely to remain in place "over the coming days" as an investigation is carried out. This is being supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and a team of chemical and mechanical experts, the force said. Superintendent Simon Brickwood said: "I'd like to extend my heartfelt sympathies to the families of those involved in yesterday's tragic incident. "An investigation has been launched into the causes of the explosion, with the support of partner agencies and the Health and Safety Executive. "We appreciate the impact this incident has had on the local community and we thank those affected for their patience while our investigative work is carried out. "I'd like to pay tribute to those involved in the emergency response, who have been at the scene throughout the night under very difficult and challenging circumstances." Specially trained officers are supporting the family of the four workers who died in the incident. Post-mortem examinations were under way, a force spokesman said.Giles Hyder, HSE's head of operations in the South West, said: "We send our deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically died. It is important a joint investigation is carried out. "We will provide specialist support to what is likely to be a complex investigation under the command of the police." Colin Skellett, chief executive of Wessex Water, said: "We are all absolutely devastated by what has happened. "Our hearts go out to the family, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives during the tragic event on Thursday. "I know from the thoughts and comments I have received from so many, that this has affected the whole Wessex Water family. "I know Avonmouth, I worked there for many years, and I know the people, some of whom have lost their lives during this terrible incident."

Luke Wheaton's dad Matt has paid tribute after the Wessex Water worker was killed along with Michael James, 64, Brian Vickery, 63, and Raymond White, 57, in the explosion near BristolThis is the first picture of a 16-year-old boy who was among four workers killed in a large explosion at a waste water treatment plant. Rugby player Luke Wheaton, from Bristol, was an apprentice at and died alongside Michael James, 64, Brian Vickery, 63, and Raymond White, 57. Luke's heartbroken dad Matt paid tribute to his "best mate" as he shared a picture of the teenager smiling while wearing a white helmet...

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Heartbroken dad pays tribute to apprentice, 16, killed in Avonmouth explosion

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