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Daily Record
Daily Record
World
Kirsty Dawson & Gemma Ryder

Hundreds gather with guard of honour for funeral of ambulance worker 'murdered' outside of pub

Hundreds of mourners lined the streets as a guard of honour was held at the funeral of an ambulance worker who was allegedly murdered last month.

Sheldon Flanighan, who was an ambulance care assistant, died after he was struck by a van outside of the Bay Horse Inn in Cramlington, Northumberland, on Saturday, April 1.

The 55-year-old's colleagues from the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) formed an emotional guard of honour ahead of his funeral service at St Cuthbert's Church in Amble on Friday morning, the Chronicle reports.

Hundreds of mourners gathered together in Sheldon's home town to say a final goodbye to him with Church Street closed for the occasion.

The reverend and funeral director walked ahead of Sheldon's coffin, which was pulled in a carriage by two black horses, and a large group of his loved ones walked behind. They were followed by an ambulance and members of the NEAS.

Mourners filled the streets. (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

An order of service, which was filled with pictures of Sheldon, was handed out to those who attended. It included one image of him in his NEAS uniform meeting Queen Camilla.

Right Red Hand by Nick Cave played as Sheldon's coffin was carried into the church and the words of Queen's song 'You're My Best Friend' were later read out.

Following Sheldon's death last month, the NEAS paid tribute to their "much-loved" colleague.

Another man, who had been spending the evening with Sheldon, was taken to hospital with serious injuries following the incident on April 1.

Ambulance crew formed a guard of honour. (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

Toby Kelly, 37, of Wansbeck Avenue, Blyth, has been charged with murder and attempted murder. He denied both charges at Newcastle Crown Court and has been remanded in custody until his trial on October 3.

David Fairclough, 32, of Emerson Road, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, and Shannon Wooden, 28, of Patterdale House, Blyth, were previously charged, alongside Kelly, with murder and attempted murder. Earlier this week, Fairclough and Wooden both pleaded not guilty to both offences at the court in Newcastle and the charges against them were dropped.

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