Subject

David Richardson was born on 22 December 1970, one of the three children of Derek A. Richardson (b.1949) and Joan Elizabeth Richardson née King (1951-2021). His birth was registered in the Waltham Forest registration district.

On 22 September 1990, as an apprentice plumber who lived in Bethnal Green and who was aged 19 years, he was one of a four man party of workmen employed by Floyd Construction (London) Ltd to deal with a blocked sewer under Watney Market, Commercial Road, Stepney. Having pumped out the water, Stephen Augustine Hammond was the first to enter the sewerage chamber but collapsed half way down the steps. He followed him down and then was followed by his own brother Paul Richardson, both of whom collapsed on top of Stephen Hammond after being overcome by hydrogen sulphide gas. All three were taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. On 24 September 1990 the life support machines for his brother and Stephen Hammond were turned off.