A man with learning difficulties who was fascinated by cranes had a fitting send-off – with his coffin followed at his funeral by a convoy of cranes.
Ben Lawton, 35, had waited by the gates of ABA Crane Hire near his West Midlands home every day for the last 25 years.
He died in October following an unknown illness.
Following his death, the firm wanted to pay their respects in a unique way and on Wednesday followed his coffin in a funeral procession like no other.
In a touching gesture, Ben’s coffin was also transported to the service in an ABA Cranes Transit van, while the pallbearers were crane workers, wearing high visibility clothing.
The unusual procession, which included four green cranes and three company vans, was requested as a special tribute by Ben’s dad Steve Lawton.
Steve 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.
