[11 AUG 00] CRIMES, FIRES & ACCIDENTS
Council Worker Dies After Insect Sting

A Coventry City Council employee died yesterday after he was stung by an insect while clearing a garden in Wood End.

John Roche, aged 47, was working in Tachbrook Close when he was stung by a bee or a wasp at about 9am.

The sting is believed to have triggered a rare reaction called an anaphylatic shock, which restricts breathing.

Colleagues from Coventry Contract Services rushed to help and paramedics tried to resuscitate Mr Roche.

He was taken to Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital but later died.

Mr Roche had worked for CCS for 20 years.

Mike Rawson, acting head of CCS External Services, said:

“John was highly regarded and a dedicated worker within Waster Services who will be very sadly missed by his workmates.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go out to his wide and family as well as his many colleagues where he worked at Central depot.

”We are all totally stunned by this tragic loss and we will be conducting a full investigation into what happened as soon as the sensitivity of this tragic incident allows.”