The grief-stricken widow of the “Hibs-mad dad”, who died after plummeting down a set of stairs during his own retirement party, has spoken publicly for the first time following his funeral last week. Frank “Bomber” Crawford was celebrating with friends and colleagues after his final day at work on November 22, following a career spanning more than 30 years in the Scottish Courts, when tragedy struck.
The 68-year-old was found at the bottom of a staircase in the Albanach pub on the corner of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and Cockburn Street with catastrophic injuries. Despite being treated by paramedics at the scene, he died at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh without ever regaining consciousness after four days in intensive care.
Now his widow Kathryn (Katie) has spoken lovingly on her “loved and respected” husband, just days after Frank was laid to rest during an emotional ceremony at Edinburgh’s Warriston Crematorium. Over 500 mourners paid their last respects to much-loved Frank at his funeral on December 12 with those attending urged to sport a splash of green in honour of his “love of the Hibees“.
Following Frank’s death, it was confirmed by official bodies that no investigation into the tragic accident – which broke his neck and sent him into a cardiac arrest – will take place. Katie Crawford has now shared an emotional statement about her husband, who volunteered extensively with his beloved footy club’s charity, the Hibs Community Foundation.
Speaking today, she said: “It’s just overwhelming. We’re in disbelief. I hope he knew how much people loved and respected him. He was such a big character, but in an unassuming way. He didn’t want praise or thanks, that’s just who he was. He got a buzz out of helping people, and he didn’t want anything in return.
“It was all a blur in the pub, it happened so fast. He went out on a high. He couldn’t believe the amount of people that turned out for him at his retirement, but that was just a fraction of the amount of people at his funeral. Someone said it must have been at least 500 – lots of people had to stand at the back. He just seemed to know everyone.
“The amount of people who have reached out has been incredible. Frank treated everyone the same, which people thought was a breath of fresh air. There were no airs and graces about him. I can’t put into words what a character he was.”
The Procurator Fiscal’s office confirmed there will not be a fatal accident inquiry nor an investigation into Frank’s death. The City of Edinburgh Council’s health and safety department has also received no reports of the incident and as such will likewise not be investigating.
Greene King, who own and operate the Albanach bar where Frank suffered his fatal injuries, has been contacted for comment.
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