"It was his life" - crane firm pays touching tribute to man who visited their yard 'every day'
A crane firm is set to lend a number of their towering structures to be part of a funeral procession in memory of an enthusiast who would visit their yard regularly throughout his life.
Ben Lawton passed away unexpectedly last month aged just 35 having collapsed at his home in Reedswood, Walsall.
While the cause is still inconclusive it is suspected his sudden death could be linked to epilepsy which he had battled during his life, as well as autism and learning difficulties.
In tribute to him a number of cranes from ABA Crane Hire will be included in the funeral cortège as Ben's body is taken to Streetly Crematorium on Wednesday .
He would stand out side the depot in Reaymer Close almost every day since he was a teenager - although his fascination with cranes began as a young child, his father Steve Lawton told the Express & Star.
He said: "When he was little his bedroom overlooked a crane yard.
"He could see the cranes gathering and used to stand at the window looking out the glass.
"I had to nail some wood across to stop it breaking. As he got older he got fascinated in Pat Collins fairs. To get him to sleep I had to take on the funfair every night.
"Then he became interested in ABA. My wife did a business opposite ABA and Ben got to know them that way.
"Once he was a teenager he would get up at 5 or 6 'o' clock in the morning, go to ABA and stay their all day.
"He knew everything about them. When Ben got to know somebody, it tended to be quite a deep relationship that developed.
"I think because of his autism, if something was in his head he became very driven towards it."
It has been a devastating year for Steve, aged 65. Not only was he the one who walked in to find Ben lying lifeless on the floor, but it had come less than a year after his wife and Ben's mother Valerie Lawton had passed away from cancer, aged 61, last December.
"It's been terrible," he said. "But I'm okay. You have got to be psychologically strong."
One thing making things easier is learning about the positive impact Ben had had on the people at the crane yard.
Anne Baggott, the director of ABA, said: "Ben would be there day after day. He knew every crane, knew all the drivers, he knew the different engine noises. He even had his bike painted in our green colours. It was his life.
"All of the drivers loved him. I know his mum used to work opposite and would bring him in his pram to sit outside.
"We always knew he was there. Everyone always stopped to talk to him and buy him an ice cream. Unfortunately he could never come into the yard because of health and safety."
She added: "It is so sad, he was only a young lad. Everyone is really cut up about it, the drivers are devastated.
"Some of them will be pallbearers. We will hopefully have four or five cranes available to be part of the procession."
The firm have also had a plaque made up for Ben which will be put up at the depot.
Steve added: "I knew he used to go up to ABA but I wasn't aware how strong the relationship was.
"I didn't know how fond they were of Ben, it blew me away really, it's incredible.
"My neighbour told them Ben had passed away and they came around here and was crying in my front room."
