Young woman killed by debris named as Wolverhampton University worker Tahnie Martin

Pic:Victim Tahnie Martin
Staff reporter(wp/es):

Tributes have been paid to a young woman who was killed by a piece of flying debris which came loose during Storm Doris.

University of Wolverhampton worker, Tahnie Martin, 29, was walking with her colleagues on Thursday when a chunk of wooden roofing flew from a building and hit her.

She suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene in Wolverhampton city centre, police said.

A senior lecturer in the department at the university where she worked today described her as "irrepressibly optimistic and kind", as colleagues expressed shock and sadness at her sudden death.

On Wednesday evening, the night before the tragedy, Ms Martin, from Stafford, had organised the university English department’s 50th anniversary dinner.

A comment from her colleague Dr Aidan Byrne, a senior lecturer in the department, was posted on Facebook.

Dr Byrne said: “Everyone in the English department is shocked and saddened by the death yesterday of Tahnie Martin. 

“She organised our 50th anniversary dinner on Wednesday night, coping with us with humour and forbearance.

“She was irrepressibly optimistic and kind, full of ideas and always enthusiastic.

"We were so grateful to her, and we’re glad that the last thing we did on Wednesday night was give her a hug and tell her how much we appreciated everything she did.

“She will be missed by everyone who knew her.”

Detective Inspector Paul Joyce from West Midlands Police said in a statement on Friday: “We are still trying to ascertain who the building belongs to and whether there is any criminal liability.

This is a deeply tragic incident and our thoughts remain with Miss Martin’s family.

“We would ask that their privacy is respected in their time of grief.”

University of Wolverhampton Vice-Chancellor, Professor Geoff Layer, said: “We are all deeply saddened by this tragic loss.

“During Tahnie’s short time at the University, she made a real impact both in a professional and personal capacity. She became a very popular member of the team and was highly valued.”