A ‘kind-hearted’ British grandfather died after he was electrocuted doing DIY for a woman who gave him a place to stay on a cycling trip to Mexico.
Al Brown, 50, was killed in the accident on June 2 – just hours before he was due to fly home.
Heartbreakingly, the Brit was jetting home to Norwich to meet his grandson – who had been born while he was away travelling.
The grandfather-of-five accidentally touched a live overhead cable as he was sweeping the roof at the property in the town of Tepoztlan, a popular tourist destination near Mexico City.
Paramedics and the woman Mr Brown was staying with desperately tried to revive him, but he sadly died at the scene.
Mr Brown’s loved ones and friends have now started a GoFundMe page to raise money to bring his body back to the UK.
Family friend Tony Bidwell told MailOnline: ‘Al was a kind-hearted man who would do anything for anyone and was always smiling. He had a fantastic sense of humour.
‘He had a passion for hiking and cycling long distances.
‘He loved his children Chloe and Aaron, and his stepdaughters Vicky and Natalie – as well as his five grandsons.
‘Sadly, Al passed away before meeting his youngest grandson, who was born while Al was away travelling.
‘The main reason for Al wanting to come home was to meet his baby grandson for the first time as well as seeing all of his family, who he was missing.’
Before his accident, Mr Brown, who was also a keen fisherman, completed the 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail which stretches from Canada to Mexico on his bike.
He then had to have a hernia operation, which he funded himself, in Mexico.
While recovering, Mr Brown went to stay on a ‘work away’ placement and carried out light household maintenance jobs at the house such as painting.
Mr Bidwell said: ‘Any money raised from the GoFundMe will go towards the costs to bring Al home to rest and to give his family and friends some peace.
‘As you can imagine this is very expensive and complicated.
‘His wife and two of his daughters are having to travel to Mexico for Al to be released and cremated in Mexico.’
Mr Brown was a key member of the fishing community at Bawburgh Lakes, just outside Norwich.
‘Any money which may be left over, the family would really like Bawburgh Lakes, where Al spent many years as a bailiff, to hold an open day for children to get a feel for fishing,’ Mr Bidwell continued.
‘This is something Al was very passionate about. To him it was more than just a hobby – it was a way of life.
‘Whether casting a line at dawn or quietly observing the rhythms of the natural world, Al found peace and purpose in the great outdoors In every way.
‘Al was well loved by his fishing friends. He wasn’t just someone who fished at Bawburgh Lakes; he helped shape it.
‘Al poured so much of himself into the lakes, working tirelessly to help create the beautiful complex we all enjoy today.
‘He had a deep love for the surroundings and the wildlife, always taking time to appreciate the natural beauty that made Bawburgh so special.
‘He was a massive part of creating what Bawburgh Lakes has become, and he was truly loved by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
‘Of all seven lakes on the complex, his favourite was Bawburgh Lake, especially the island—his special spot.
‘It’s only fitting that this island will now be known as Al’s Island, a lasting tribute to a man who gave so much and meant even more.
‘Rest easy, Al. You’ll always be with us, in every ripple of the water and every laugh shared.’
The fishing community in Norwich also organised a memorial event this weekend to raise further funds to bring Mr Brown home.
To donate to the GoFundMe page for Mr Brown – click here.
