Subject

Paul Richardson was born on 7 December 1972, 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 Stepney registration district.

On 22 September 1990, as an apprentice electrician who lived in Bethnal Green and was aged 17 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. His brother David Richardson followed him, before he too also descended. Both of them collapsed on top of Stephen Hammond after being overcome by hydrogen sulphide gas. All three were taken to hospital. His brother was pronounced dead on arrival and on 24 September 1990 both his and Stephen Hammond's life support machines were turned off.