A CHORLEY pensioner has died after falling 10 foot from a ladder in a churchyard.

Gerald Taylor, 75, a retired district judge of Wigan Lane, Heath Charnock, suffered suspected head and spinal injuries after falling from the ladder as he worked in Rivington Parish Church yard, Horrobin Lane, Rivington.

Mr Taylor -- who led the churchyard maintenance team -- was carrying out routine weekly maintenance when the accident happened on Wednesday (November 15).

Emergency ambulance crews believed he had fallen from the ladder which was placed across a tree.

A Chorley paramedic crew attended the accident and stabilised Mr Taylor -- who was thought to have suffered head injuries -- before he was taken to the intensive care unit of Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance. He died later from his injuries.

Paul West, operations manager of the North West Air Ambulance, said: "We got a call at 15.27 and were on the scene at 15.40. The report was that the man had fallen off a ladder with a suspected head injury, and the ladder was positioned against a tree.

"The air ambulance crew assisted the crew that was already there. Because of his condition we decided to airlift him straight to the Royal Preston Hospital."

Mr Taylor retired from Bolton district judiciary about three years ago and was reportedly an active member of the church and rotary club. He was married with one son.

Mr Taylor's funeral is due to take place tomorrow (Friday, November 24) at 2pm at Rivington Parish Church, followed by a churchyard burial.