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HSBC Fall Guy Michael Foreman Dies In Mysterious Accident

(Sam Marsden)  Michael Foreman, 48, fell from a fifth-floor balcony in the members’ bar area of the gallery on the South Bank last Tuesday evening.

The banker, who lived in Grays, Essex, with his wife Janet, was reported missing the day before he died.

Horrified witnesses described seeing a man dressed in a suit without a tie plunge from the bar area shortly before the gallery, whose imposing building was once a power station, closed at 6pm. Police are not treating the incident as suspicious.

Mr Foreman was named today as an inquest into his death opened at Southwark Coroner’s Court.

The short hearing was told that he was a “senior bank manager with HSBC” and died from “multiple traumatic injuries”. He was formally identified by his wife.

He had worked for HSBC for 30 years and was based in head office in Canary Wharf in the business banking section.

An HSBC spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with his wife and family.”

Mr Foreman played trombone for the Essex-based Tilbury brass band and previously belonged to the Aveley and Newham brass band in east London.

His friends spoke of their shock, and revealed that the banker’s early life had been touched by tragedy when his brother, who had also worked for HSBC, had a heart attack while swimming and died aged just 24.

Derek Morris, 63, who also plays trombone in the Tilbury brass band, said: “He had a good job in the City and was always flying to Hong Kong so it makes you think what was going through his mind when he died.

“I’ve known him for many years as we played for 50 years for the Aveley band. He was a quiet man, but very passionate about the trombone.

“He was very business-like and not very sociable. He was always very well-suited and always a gentleman. It’s very sad news and I just can’t believe it.”

Mr Morris added: “He had a brother who used to work for HSBC too, but he tragically died years ago.

“He went for a swim and had a heart attack. He was 24 when he died and they were both very close.”

Tilbury Band said in a statement: “It is with deepest sadness that Tilbury Band announce the death of Michael Foreman, trombonist and long-serving member of the band and former long-standing member of the Aveley Band.

“Our heartfelt sympathies go to Michael’s wife Janet and his parents Steve and Margaret.”

Mr Foreman’s funeral is due to take place at Corbets Tey crematorium in Upminster, Essex, on Friday.

Tilbury Band said: “There will also be an opportunity to remember Michael through the playing of music on the day.”

His family have asked any friends who want to offer a gift to make a donation in his memory to either the British Heart Foundation or Tilbury Band.