A really sad case and just goes to show that accidents can happen to anyone at any time. Other than to get over gates/small walls, I absolutely refuse to get up a ladder for this very reason; Ok I know that I could fall from a low height and still do some serious damage but for me it's about being able to tell my daughter with confidence that I will see her in the evening safe and well. I had a customer last week asking me to go up to clean the gutters of a 3 storey house. I told her it wasn't worth the risk and she said 'what's the matter with you, do you not want to earn some money?'. I asked the cantankerous old bint how she would feel if I fell and was injured while cleaning her gutters and in all seriousness she said that it wouldn't be anything to do with her!! No job or money is worth that sort of risk where a safer method is available.My thoughts are with him and his family.