Man who fell to death at Gatwick airport revealed to be beloved Grandad who lived for his family
A GRANDAD who fell to his death at Gatwick airport has been hailed as a wonderful man who lived for his family.
Gerardo Silano, 82, collapsed on an escalator and fractured his spinal cord.
The dad-of-three, who had four grandchildren, had travelled home from his native Italy on an easyJet flight last month
Son Raffaele, 45, said: “Dad lived for us boys and mum and the grandkids. He was a super relaxed, very calm sort of guy.
“He was a massive football fan. He loved Man Utd and would go up to Old Trafford.
“For his 80th birthday we booked a VIP trip in a box at the stadium and dad loved that day.
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“As an Italian football fan, seeing us win the Euros last year was amazing and we went to Wembley together for the semi-final.
“Dad was a hard worker who spent his life doing manual work, but he was always smiling. He really enjoyed life.”
Mr Silano, of Basingstoke, Hants, had been to Naples with wife Irma, 78, and son Paul, 49.
Gatwick and other airports were in chaos due to staff shortages and there were reports of disabled passengers waiting for hours on planes for assistance.
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An adjourned inquest revealed he fractured his spinal cord.
The airport said he was one of three disabled passengers due to be helped off and a member of staff was in the process of doing so.
At the time it said: “Staff shortages were not a factor.”