Water Authority bosses have paid tribute to worker Lawrence Gell who died in an accident on-site in Peel yesrterday (Monday).

Mr Gell was in a shallow trench replacing lead water pipes near the former Creg Mallin hotel when a wall collapsed on top of him.

He died from his injuries, despite the frantic efforts of three colleagues to free him.

Mr Gell, father to children aged 14 and 10, has been described as a Peel man through-and-through, who was well known in the town.

Local media gathered for an update on the tragedy at Water Authority headquarters in Tromode this lunchtime.

Chairman John Houghton said health and safety officers are carrying out a painstaking investigation into exactly what happened: