Construction worker Shay Bladen suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by the pipe while working on a site at Sniperley
17:59, 20 Apr 2026Updated 19:02, 20 Apr 2026
Construction worker Shay Bladen suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by the pipe while working on a site at Sniperley(Image: Durham Constabulary)
A “genuine and loving” County Durham teenager tragically died after being struck by a concrete pipe while working on a housing development. Construction worker Shay Bladen suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by the pipe while working on a site at Sniperley, near Durham, on Thursday.
The 17-year-old, from Witton Gilbert, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle. He sadly died on Friday night.
On Monday, Shay’s heartbroken parents Lee and Samantha issued a poignant tribute to their son. In a statement they said: “Shay was the most genuine, loving, funny, caring lad you could ever wish to meet, he lit up every room making everyone smile even on the worst days.
“He was a genuine friend to many and the most amazing, caring, big brother to Ellis and Edie. Shay loved to go boxing and go to the gym, he loved work and his job and just constantly being on the go.
“Shay also loved spending time with his long-term girlfriend Libby. As his parents, we couldn’t be more proud of the hard-working, determined young man Shay turned out to be.”
His parents added: “We love you and seeing how highly everyone speaks about you just shows the type of person you were. Our handsome brown-eyed boy – Forever 17”.
A joint investigation between Durham Constabulary and the Health and Safety Executive has since been launched and Shay’s family and being supported by specially-trained police officers. Detective Chief Inspector Andy Crowe, who is leading the investigation, said: “This has been a truly tragic incident and I would like to offer Shay’s family and friends the sincere condolences of everyone at Durham Constabulary.
“We are carrying out a joint investigation with our colleagues at the Health and Safety Executive to determine the exact circumstances as to how this tragedy has unfolded.”