Martin ‘Mugsy’ Simmons was working at the New Dunn Business Park in Sling when he was trapped by a conveyor belt.

Emergency services who rushed to the site shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, February 20, managed to restart his heart and airlift him to Southmead hospital in Bristol, but despite everything doctors could do, he died on Wednesday, March 6.

Heartbroken partner Tina Penn bravely posted about Martin’s fight for life and organised a wedding blessing for the couple, who had been planning to marry, at his bedside before his passing, changing her name, by deed poll, to Simmons to reflect their love for each other.

Police have confirmed they are investigating the ‘very unfortunate incident’ with the Health and Safety Executive, (HSE) and are preparing a report for the coroner who is expected to open an inquest into Mr Simmons’ death next week.

Hundreds took to social media to express their sympathy and pay tribute to the popular Forester, whose funeral will take place on Friday, March 29, at the Church of the Holy Jesus in Lydbrook, at 1.30pm.

One tribute to ‘Mugsy’, who enjoyed ‘hitting the decks’ to DJ hardcore music and had previously worked as a carer and at Get Stored storage in Whitecroft, said simply: “He’s my hero,” while another called him, “an amazing guy who will always be in the memories of so many people.”

Someone on Tina and his mother Janet’s ‘Our Fighter’ Facebook page, also spoke of his brave battle with cancer.

She said: “I have so many good memories of Martin and I am so happy I could be there for him in a small way when he was going through cancer. He is a fighter and has won so many battles – this war had just proved a bit much for him. I’m privileged to have known you Mr Simmons.”

Further tributes described the former Lakers pupil, who lived in Sling after moving from Lydbrook, as “a lovely, genuine guy”, “a lovely fella”, a “wonderful man”, a “legend” and a “special fighter.”

One friend said: “Martin brought happiness and laughter to us all, he’d help anyone if he could.”

Announcing after the accident that she would be organising a wedding blessing, Martin’s partner Tina posted: “We will be having a blessing on Saturday around his bedside, the vicar can see how much we both wanted this so they’re going to make it as similar to the real thing as legally possible.

“We will still have the dress, rings, vows, best men, music and order of service for people to keep, etc. So we will make it the best day possible. Waiting for deed poll papers to come back and be signed then I’ll officially be Mrs Tina Simmons and that’s good enough for me, love you Martin.”

She later posted the document showing her name change and photos of their hands with their wedding blessing rings.

But heartbreakingly, Tina later announced there was nothing more doctors could do, saying: “Our hearts are totally shattered”.

The alarm was raised at the New Dunn Business Park on February 20 when the ambulance service received a 999 call from a site unit.

Paramedics who realised the seriousness of the situation contacted police and the air ambulance was called to take Mr Simmons to the Bristol trauma unit.

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Police said this week: “The Gloucestershire Force and HSE are currently carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.”

A spokesman for the HSE said: “Gloucestershire Police have taken the lead on this investigation, under the work related death protocol, and we are assisting the force in their enquiries.”

Mr Simmons’ family, which includes a brother and two sisters, has requested that mourners at the church and later at the Forest Crematorium wear white.