A 35-YEAR-old man died in a freak accident where he fell from a ladder and banged his head, it emerged today.Robert Schmelter fell 10ft from a ladder while working at Anchor Storage, in Kenton, near Debenham and was taken to Ipswich Hospital with severe head injuries.

A 35-YEAR-old man died in a freak accident where he fell from a ladder and banged his head, it emerged today.

Robert Schmelter fell 10ft from a ladder while working at Anchor Storage, in Kenton, near Debenham and was taken to Ipswich Hospital with severe head injuries.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death has now been launched.

A Suffolk Police spokeswoman said it is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Schmelter was a subcontractor working for Ec02 B.V, a firm that is currently undertaking work at the site of the storage company in Eye Road.

Stephen Britt, managing director of Anchor Storage, a small family run business, said: “First and foremost I would like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of Robert Schmelter who sadly passed away following a tragic accident which took place on the Anchor Storage premises.

“Mr Schmelter was a subcontractor working for Ec02 B.V. who is currently undertaking works on our site. Both Anchor Storage and Ec02 are fully co operating with our local environmental health officers, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Suffolk Constabulary and the coroner's office to investigate the incident.”

Mid Suffolk District Council is now investigating the incident. An inquest has not yet opened.

A spokeswoman for Mid Suffolk District Council said: “As the district council, we have a role in regulating standards for health and safety at work. This responsibility is split between ourselves and HSE. There has been a discussion between us and HSE about this incident and it has been agreed that in this case, we would take on the role of investigating what happened.

“It is very early days. The investigation has only just begun.”

Mr Schmelter's fall occurred around 3.30pm last Monday. He died at Ipswich Hospital two days later.

An East of England Ambulance Trust spokesman said: “He was unconscious when we arrived and he was taken to hospital. He had head injuries. An air ambulance attended the incident but it was a land ambulance that transported him to hospital.

“A paramedic from the air ambulance team went with the patient in the land ambulance.”

Did you know Mr Schmelter? Would you like to pay tribute to him? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.