The victim of a tragic accident at a Kent building site has been named as a father of two.
Tributes have flooded in for “one-of-a-kind” David Archer following his shock death on Tuesday.
Mr Archer, known to his friends and family as Ogga, was working late on a Barratt Homes development site in Ramsgate when he sustained fatal injuries.
Police and ambulance crews were called to the Spitfire Green development off New Haine Road at 10.30pm on Tuesday.
Sadly, despite the efforts of paramedics, Mr Archer was declared dead at the scene.
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A fundraiser set up in his memory describes him as “one of the loveliest, kindest and most caring men that you will ever meet”.
Jessica Tregunno, who set up the GoFundMe page, added: “Dave loved his family beyond belief, everything he was working towards was for his family. Everyone who knew Ogga would always praise him, he was spoken so highly of. He truly was a one of a kind!
“He had so many future plans, so much more he was aiming to do”
“He adored his friends, and showed us all nothing but pure love. He looked out for all our children as though they were his own. Everyone always wanted uncle Ogs at the party.
“He would go out of his way to help others, he always put the effort in! He would brighten up our days just by being there. His cheeky little smile and contagious laugh, his silly little one-liner jokes that would have everyone belly laughing.
“With so many future plans, so much more he was aiming to do… so much more love to give, a wedding that they had always been dreaming of… But his plans and the bright future he had envisioned with his family and friends has been cut short. A tragic accident happened while he was at work.
“That evening at 7pm, as he walked out the door to go to work and finish a job, he hugged his babies and told them he loved them. Jack and Poppy said ‘see ya later Dad, love youuuu’, Rachel told him she loved him and as he always would say ‘love you babe’.
“Ogga never came home.”
Despite being set up just 12 hours ago, the fundraiser has been flooded with donations, with more than 300 people gifting almost £14,000 to support Mr Archer’s family.
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He is survived by his wife Rachel, and his children Jack, nine, and Poppy, who turned five last week.
The GoFundMe page describes the couple – who had been together for 20 years since meeting as teenagers – as “soulmates [and] best friends right from the start”.
“Everyone who knows Rach and Ogs knows that they have always been inseparable, their love for one another shone through,” it added.
“Such a strong and solid couple who would face everything together. So long as they had each other, they could achieve anything.
“Their love for each other shone through”
“Dave proposed to Rachel a few years into their relationship, then they started their beautiful family together in 2015. Jack who is now nine and Poppy who turned five just last week.
“We celebrated Poppy’s birthday at Butlins with everyone. We all feel extremely lucky to have spent that time together, to have made some more amazing memories to look back on. Not realising how precious they would end up being.
“After receiving many supportive messages from friends asking how they can help or where to send flowers, we spoke with family and Ogga’s close friends then decided to create this GoFundMe page.
“This will be towards funeral costs and help towards the cost of living whilst Rachel is off work, doing her best to try and deal with this heartbreaking loss, trying to figure out how to live life without her soulmate, her rock, all the time while being there and continuing to be the best mum for their two beautiful babies, who are having to try and readjust to life without their daddy here beside them!
“David will never ever be forgotten and if we’re honest he would hate the fact that this felt like a charity, so let’s call it ‘a little bit of help and support’ however, we also know that he would also be so grateful for everyone helping his little family through the most difficult times of their lives.”
If you would like to donate to the fundraiser, click here.
A spokesperson for Barratt David Wilson Kent said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that an individual working at our development in Manston passed away on Tuesday.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends and co-workers. We are supporting the teams on the site and relevant authorities as they investigate what happened.”
A Health and Safety Executive spokesperson said: “We are aware of this incident and liaising with Kent Police.”
William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
