Rock musician dies after he falls into drain trying to find keys

A MUSICIAN has died in a bizarre accident after falling into a drain as he tried to retrieve some dropped keys on New Year’s Day, it is believed.
Andy Banks, of Dewsbury band Eric The Viaduct, who died in Heckmondwike in the early hours of January 2, 2013.Andy Banks, of Dewsbury band Eric The Viaduct, who died in Heckmondwike in the early hours of January 2, 2013.
Andy Banks, of Dewsbury band Eric The Viaduct, who died in Heckmondwike in the early hours of January 2, 2013.

Father-of-two Andy Banks had been at a pub in Liversedge, on New Year’s Day and is thought to have been walking to his home in nearby Dewsbury when he dropped his keys.

Police were called at around in the early hours of January 2 to a street in Heckmondwike, and neighbours reported seeing about seven police cars, a video van and a winch at the scene along with a special rescue unit from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Team.

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Mr Bank’s death has stunned family and friends and has led to a slew of tributes to the musician and sculptor, who is described as “one of life’s nice guys and a true gent”.

A well-loved local musician Andy played in a number for bands but was perhaps best known for working with the eccentric Eric and the Viaduct. He was also a member of Dewsbury Socialist Society, which lowered the Union Flag outside its club to half-mast yesterday.

Friend Sharon Brogden had known Andy for about 20 years, she said he was a sensitive and generous man who had recently opened rehearsal rooms in Dewsbury for bands to practice in.

“That’s something he decided to do, because that’s the sort of person he was. He was very sensitive and very honest. I still can’t get my head round what’s happened.

“It wasn’t his time to go. He had everything going. Everything seemed to be going well,” she said.