A mother whose partner died after falling into an open manhole on a building site has said her 'life will never be the same'.

David Archer, 36, was working on a sewerage extension on a housing estate in Ramsgate, Kent, when he was distracted by a passing road sweeper.

As he looked up, he fell into an open manhole, and despite the efforts of firefighters and paramedics, he could not be saved.

An inquest heard that David's training had lapsed, meaning he should not have been working on the site.

His employers also did not hold the required permit, the inquest was told.

The coroner said David had done nothing wrong and described the tragedy that took place on a November evening in 2023 as a 'really tragic accident'.

David's partner Rachel, 39, said: 'The anger is there sometimes - I ask why, and acceptance is hard.

'But we've had incredible support from the school, the community, friends and family.'

David Archer, 36, pictured with his partner Rachel and their two children Jack and Poppy

David was working on a sewerage extension on a housing estate in Ramsgate, Kent, when he was distracted by a passing road sweeper and fell into an open manhole

She adds: 'We are stronger than ever.'

According to the Health and Safety Executive, there have been 35 deaths in the construction industry in 2024/25, out of a total of 124 work-related deaths across all sectors.

The data shows that construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing consistently account for the highest number of workplace fatalities each year.

Rachel and David first met back in 2004 and had planned to marry. She uses his surname and intends to officially take it by March next year.

She is now raising the couple's two children, Jack, 10, and Poppy, six and has described them as her motivation to keep going.

'Our lives have completely changed since losing David,' she continued.

'Grief is like the most horrific rollercoaster, but I've got two beautiful children who deserve to feel happy, loved, safe and secure.'

'They are my drive, 100 per cent.'

Nearly two years after his death, she is learning to live with the loss of 'the most wonderful partner and dad I could have ever wished for'.

'We talk about Daddy every day, and that's how we keep him with us,' she continued.

'Life will never be the same, but Jack and Poppy deserve to feel loved and safe - and that's what keeps me going.'

Rachel has since set up a new charity in David's name, who was known to friends as 'Ogga', to help bereaved children like her own.

The OGGA Foundation BRAVE stands for Bereaved and Readjusting to Various Emotions and was founded in March 2024.

Rachel and David first met back in 2004 and had planned to marry. She uses his surname and intends to officially take it by March next year

The group meets on the last Thursday of every month at a sports club and aims to provide a safe, welcoming environment for children, supporting their social and mental well-being through activity.

'I knew how difficult it would be to get the right support services for Jack and Poppy,' Rachel said.

'So I created something to give children a safe space.

'Starting the foundation has been my healing.'

Rachel, an occupational therapist from Deal, Kent, added: 'They call it a party, which is exactly what I wanted.

'Friendships form, the children feel safe, and we can offer counselling if needed. For me, it's about making sure no child feels alone on this journey.'

Earlier this month, David's sister Nicola and cousin Soraya walked more than 70 miles from Deal to Hastings, camping along the way, to raise funds.

A community fun day in Deal in August also drew strong support.

'It was a memory walk as well as a fundraiser,' Rachel said.

'Each day had a checkpoint dedicated to someone close to them who had passed, and to every child who has lost a parent. It was beautiful and moving.'

Father died after he fell into manhole on building site, inquest rules