Inquest finds father of two died after falling into open manhole on Ramsgate building site; training lapse and missing permit cited
Mother builds charity to support bereaved children as community raises funds and remembers a life cut short
An inquest found that David Archer, a 36-year-old father of two, died after falling through an open manhole on a sewerage-extension project on a Ramsgate housing estate in November 2023. The coroner said Archer had done nothing wrong and described the death as a “really tragic accident,” noting that his training had lapsed and the employers did not hold the required permit to work on the site.
Archer was working at the site when a passing road sweeper distracted him; as he looked up, he fell into the open manhole. Firefighters and paramedics attended, but he could not be saved. The incident underscores concerns about safety oversight on some construction sites.
Health and Safety Executive data show 35 deaths in the construction industry in 2024/25, part of 124 work-related fatalities across all sectors. The numbers reinforce the consistently higher risk profile of construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing relative to other industries each year.
David’s partner, Rachel, 39, described a long and ongoing period of grief. She and David met in 2004 and planned to marry. She is an occupational therapist from Deal, Kent, and said she will begin using his surname officially by March next year as she raises their two children, Jack, 10, and Poppy, six. “Life will never be the same, but Jack and Poppy deserve to feel loved and safe,” she said. “Grief is like the most horrific rollercoaster, but I’m driven by my children.”
In the two years since David’s death, Rachel has established the OGGA Foundation BRAVE — Bereaved and Readjusting to Various Emotions — to help bereaved children cope with loss. Founded in March 2024, the organization aims to provide a safe, welcoming space where children can engage in activities and access counseling if needed. The group meets on the last Thursday of each month at a local sports club and focuses on social and mental-well-being as part of a broader healing process.
“I knew how difficult it would be to get the right support services for Jack and Poppy,” Rachel said. “Starting the foundation has been my healing.” The family has also received support from the community, including a walk that traces more than 70 miles from Deal to Hastings undertaken by David’s sister Nicola and cousin Soraya, who camped along the route to raise funds, and a community fundraising day in Deal in August.
Rachel described the fundraising as both memory and purpose: “It was a memory walk as well as a fundraiser. Each checkpoint honored someone close to them and every child who has lost a parent. It was beautiful and moving.”
As the family continues to adjust to life after loss, Rachel emphasized that the charity’s work remains about ensuring no child feels alone on their journey and about providing ongoing support for families navigating grief.