Children pay tribute to victim of toxic gas

Paul Doyley, 48, from Immingham, was critically injured when titanium tetrachloride fumes escaped from the Cristal Global site near Grimsby on March 5.

He received treatment for chemical burns and inhalation of toxic fumes in a specialist burns unit at Pinderfields General Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, but later died from his injuries, Cristal Global said.

Mr Doyley's children, 17-year-old twins Aimee and Liam, thanked medical staff and their father's work colleagues and friends for their support.

They said in a statement: "We'd like to thank especially the paramedics, doctors and nurses that have aided our Dad at Grimsby and Pinderfields hospital, Wakefield.

"We would also like to thank his work colleagues and friends who assisted him at the scene and for all his friends' continued support.

"Paul was a devoted father, brother and son and a genuine, wonderful and supportive person to all who knew him.

"In his spare time he was a constant supporter of Grimsby Town Football Club and kept himself fit as an active member of the Lincolnshire Wolds Vets Running Club, combined with a keen interest in amateur boxing.

"He enjoyed travelling with his children and was a keen railway enthusiast."

Two other men suffered chemical burns in the leak - one is still receiving treatment at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby and the other was taken to hospital but released a few hours after the accident.

A statement from Cristal Global, which is based at Stallingborough on the River Humber's south bank and specialises in making titanium-based products, said the company was "deeply saddened" to hear of Mr Doyley's death.

At the time of the accident at least 10 fire crews attended the scene, with firefighters using a blanket of foam to contain the spillage.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said at the time no one living in the surrounding area was at risk from the fumes.

The plant is still shut down and officials from the Health and Safety Executive are investigating.