Police ‘close road’ as up to 200 travellers ignore social-distancing at funeral of tree surgeon, 32, who was crushed to death by machinery in work accident

• Up to 200 mourners amassed outside St Mary the Virgin Church in Cheshunt in tribute to Daniel White, 32
• Witnesses described mass drinking while bikers revved their engines through the Hertfordshire town
• Mr White, who was killed by heavy machinery, was described as ‘an absolute character’ by his girlfriend 

Up to 200 mourners ignored the coronavirus lockdown by amassing outside a church to attend a funeral today as families paid their respects to a tree surgeon who was crushed to death by heavy machinery at work.

Witnesses described travellers binning social distancing rules and drinking en masse, with even children reportedly seen carrying boxes of Stella Artois beer, at the funeral of Daniel White in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. 

Bikers revved their engines while police were pictured down Churchgate road as a funeral cortege led by Mitsubishis proceeded to St Mary the Virgin Church, where elaborate floral arrangements were laid. MailOnline has contacted police for comment.

Banners described 32-year-old Mr White, nicknamed ‘Dan Boy’, as ‘The Son I Never Had’ and ‘Simply The Best’ as up to 200 people paid tribute to the father-of-two, whose partner Victoria called an ‘absolute character’ who ‘lived life at 100mph’. 

Mr White, a tree surgeon who had been with his girlfriend Victoria for 13 years and with whom he had two sons, was killed by a piece of heavy machinery while working on private land in Wormley, according to Hertfordshire Live. 

Up to 200 mourners today amassed outside a church to attend a traveller funeral as families paid their respects to a tree surgeon who was crushed to death by heavy machinery in a tragic work accident

Police were pictured down Churchgate road leading up to St Mary the Virgin Church in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

Police were pictured down Churchgate road as a large funeral cortege led by Mitsubishis proceeded to St Mary the Virgin Church, where elaborate floral arrangements were laid in tribute to Mr White

Daniel White, a tree surgeon, was crushed to death when heavy machinery fell on top of him during work on January 12

Up to 200 attended a mass funeral for Daniel White, who was popular in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire

Scores of people dressed in black and wearing face masks paid tribute while a few carried the coffin into the church

Bikers revved their engines outside St Mary the Virgin Church in Cheshunt today in tribute to Daniel White, 32

Scores of people dressed in black and wearing face masks paid tribute while a few carried the coffin into the church 

Floral decorations were laid outside the church today as up to 200 people paid tribute to tree surgeon Daniel White 

Friends and family set up a fundraiser to raise money for Victoria and her sons, three-year-old Tommy and six-month-old Teddy. The crowdfunder has already raised nearly £35,000.

Victoria called Mr White ‘an absolute character’ with ‘a heart of gold’ who ‘would leave a positive stamp on every person he met’. She told the newspaper how she was left feeling ‘numb to the core’ after she was told about the tragic work accident on January 12.  

‘We’ve never known someone to work as much as he did and love it, but he got up everyday to give his kids everything he could,’ said Victoria and her sister, Rebecca.

‘He was an amazing person, an absolute character and he’d do anything for anyone – a good friend, the best dad, son and partner and he has left such a big hole in our lives.’

Mr White was very popular around Cheshunt and since his death tributes have been flooding in.  

Victoria and Rebecca said: ‘We’re lost for words for the support and the messages that have been sent, candles, lights, a hundred bunches of flowers.’ 

Daniel White pictured with his girlfriend Victoria. He was described by his partner as an ‘absolute character’

Up to 200 mourners today amassed outside a church to attend a traveller funeral as families paid their respects to a tree surgeon who was crushed to death by heavy machinery in a tragic work accident

Bikers revved their engines down Churchgate in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire as locals paid tribute to Daniel White

Scores of people dressed in black and wearing face masks paid tribute while a few carried the coffin into the church 

A banner outside St Mary the Virgin Church in Cheshunt reads: ‘RIP Dan Boy, Simply The Best’

Pictures of Daniel White and his family were put up down Churchgate outside St Mary the Virgin Church in Cheshunt 

Scores of people attended a funeral procession for Daniel White, 32, who was killed by heavy machinery

Scores of people dressed in black and wearing face masks paid tribute while a few carried the coffin into the church 

Witnesses described mass drinking, with mourners posting videos of bottles of vodka in tribute to Daniel White

Floral decorations were laid outside the church today as up to 200 people paid tribute to tree surgeon Daniel White

Floral decorations were laid outside the church today as up to 200 people paid tribute to tree surgeon Daniel White

Family talking to Hertfordshire Live described Mr White as incredibly hardworking but always able to put time aside for his sons, Victoria, and both of their families. 

Victoria said: ‘As much as he loved working, he did it for us and he also was the best dad you could ask for. He loved spending time with the children but had a really good relationship with his mini-me Tommy who everyday is growing into his dad.

‘Him and Tommy would go out on the quad bikes, they would go to his auntie Lisa’s for a dip in the hot tub which Tommy loved and we, as a family, would go to anywhere in the UK or abroad which we thought the kids would enjoy.’

For Tommy’s birthday, Mr White booked a night’s safari stay in Port Lympne. The family also loved going to his brother’s property in Devon and had plans of going to Dubai later this year.

‘He had a heart of gold and would leave a positive stamp on every person he met, he was an absolute character,’ Victoria said.

Her sister Rebecca continued: ‘He would treat everyone the same, was always bubbly, making people laugh, joking around and he’d do anything for everyone, especially his family. Him and my sister are both the same, two very headstrong people, big personalities, but they loved each other.

‘[He] had very good highs and memories and always wanted to do things as a family.’

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