A RESPECTED yachtsman from Weymouth died from injuries suffered when he fell seven feet from a roof on to a concrete floor, an inquest was told.

Clive Lyndon Sammels, 72, was attempting to work on the roof of the sun room at his home in Portwey Close, Weymouth, when he fell on February 22.

Following an inquest into his death at County Hall in Dorchester Mr Sammels’s family paid tribute to an active, loving family man, who was well known in Sailing circles.

The inquest heard how Mr Sammels’s wife Janice had gone out to the local shops on February 22 and returned home to find her injured husband.

She also saw a hole in the roof of the sun room, which they had been planning to replace together.

He was taken to hospital and doctors worked throughout the night in a bid to save him but Mr Sammels died at 5.15am on February 23.

Pathologist Dr John Mikel said that Mr Sammels had sustained fractures to the base of the skull, a clavicle, his ribs, sternum and at the joint of his left shoulder. He said the fractured clavicle caused a haemorrhage of an artery, which in turn led to a cardiac tamponade – a compression of the heart that caused his death.

West Dorset Coroner Michael Johnston recorded a verdict that Mr Sammels died from an accidental fall.

He said to Mr Sammels’ family: “I think it’s just one of those really unlucky things that happen – I’m very sorry.”

Mr Sammels grew up in Plymouth and worked with the Ministry of Defence in Southampton and Bath before moving to Weymouth in 1984.

He took early retirement in 1992 to pursue his love for yachting and was skipper of several yachts including, most recently, Anni Frind moored in Weymouth Harbour.

In a statement released by the family following the inquest said: “Clive spent as much time as he could on the water, racing, and sailing frequently, mostly round the British coast and across to his beloved France.

“He belonged to RNSA (Royal Naval Sailing Association) and served as moorings officer and was a long standing and active member of Weymouth and Portland Cruising Association where he was cruising officer for several years.

“He loved the social life there, making some great friends along the way.”

The statement added: “Clive enjoyed art and creativity, wrote extensively, and studied French as a hobby.

“He loved gardening, animals and music, was always active, and cycled everywhere.

“He bought and renovated five houses over the years, constantly perfecting things, and always on the go.

“Clive was a loving husband of Janice, great father to Mark, Esther and Peter, and adoring and adored granddad to Tor. He is incredibly sadly missed.”