A DAD-OF-ONE has died after being struck by lightning while drinking a cup of tea on a Crewe building site.

Bricklayer Justin Feber from Haslingden, Lancashire, was taking a break on the Bovis Homes Development site just before 1.30pm in Wychwood Village, Weston, when colleagues saw a flash of lightning and heard a loud bang.

Fellow workers say the 41-year-old, was not touching anything metallic and was standing with both feet on the ground, instantly collapsed on Wednesday.

Colleagues of Mr Feber, known as ‘Feebs’ to his friends, who were sub-contractors at the site by Chorley-based Matthews and Leigh Civil Engineering Ltd, rushed to his aid and tried to administer first aid.

But despite their efforts and further medical attention from paramedics, the son of former Rossendale United Chairman Jack Feber, died a short time later at Leighton Hospital.

A second man was also taken to hospital suffering from the effects of shock.

Andy Leigh, managing director of Matthews and Leigh Civil Engineering Ltd said: “All staff at Matthews and Leigh have been profoundly upset and shocked by this tragic event and we send our sincere condolences to Justin’s family and friends.

“Justin was well liked, highly professional and held in high regard by all those who worked with him. Our thoughts are with all who knew him at this very sad time.”

The Health and Safety Executive, the body responsible for employee safety in the work place said they had been made aware of the incident and that they would not be launching an investigation.

A HSE spokesman said: “This incident is not something the Health and Safety Executive would normally investigate because it was the result of a freak natural occurrence.”

Health and safety experts said in the UK five people on average are killed by lightning each year, making the odds of such a fatal strike one in 10,000,000.

A spokesman from Bovis Homes said: “Everyone at Bovis Homes is deeply saddened by this tragic incident and we extend our sincere sympathies to this man's family and friends.

“Our thoughts are with them and with his colleagues who were with him on site and responded immediately to the incident. They have obviously been deeply affected by this and we will look to support them in any way we can.”

Mr Feber’s mother Carol of Woodside Crescent, Newchurch was too upset to speak.

A spokesman from Cheshire Police said: “At 1.28pm on Wednesday, April 11, emergency services were called to Abbey Park Way, Wychwood Village, Crewe following the report of a man being struck by lightning.

“A 41-year-old man from Haslingden, in Rossendale, who had been working on a building site was treated by paramedics at the scene.

“Sadly, he died a short time later at Leighton Hospital.

“A second man suffering from shock was also taken to Leighton.

“Police attended the scene and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances.

“A file will now be prepared for the coroner.”

As well as his parents Jack and Carol, Justin leaves two brothers, Jason and James and six-year-old daughter Libby.

The Cheshire Coroner is expected to open an inquest today, Monday.