A PLUMBER who offered to help knock down a shed died after it collapsed on top of him, an inquest heard.

Michael Gayle, 42, volunteered to work in Janet Mills' garden in George Lane, Lewisham, on July 14 this year.

But neighbour Ritesh Patel raised the alarm after spotting Mr Gayle's arm and leg poking out of the rubble.

Southwark Coroner's Court heard Ms Mills was working in a shop when Ms Patel came to tell her what had happened.

Ms Mills called an ambulance and ran to get a friend to help lift the debris off.

Mr Gayle, of Malton Street, Plumstead, was taken to Lewisham Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Health and safety officials concluded he had fallen from a ladder and the shed had collapsed on top of him.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Andrew Walker said: "Mr Gayle died as a result of compression to the chest and abdomen."