• Graham Bennett died during daily round in Lincoln on Monday
• Temperatures in the area had reached 25 degrees at the time
• Royal Mail colleagues speak of 'shock' at his sudden death
• Father Jordan Graham, 21, dies after falling from flat in County Durham
• Tenants had used roof, 30ft from the ground, as 'suntrap'
• Experts believe between 540 and 760 people have already died in heatwave
  

By Steve Robson

PUBLISHED: 04:37 EST, 18 July 2013 | UPDATED: 06:14 EST, 18 July 2013

A postman has collapsed and died while delivering mail on his daily round during the heatwave.

Graham Bennett, 47, collapsed on the street as he made deliveries in temperatures reaching up to 25 degrees.

The postman of 29-years was on his regular round on the Ermine estate in Lincoln when he fell to the ground on Monday.

In another tragedy, a 21-year-old father died after falling from a roof of a flat where he was believed to have been sunbathing in Consett, County Durham.

Britain's blistering heatwave has already claimed the lives of up to 760 people as forecasters warn temperatures will today remain in the 30s for a sixth consecutive day.

Mr Bennett's stepdaughter, Stacie Vine, said that a passerby tried to resuscitate him, but the circumstances of what happened were still unclear.

Graham was a huge rugby fan and was pictured with his wife Fiona, 51, both wearing British Lions team shirts at the 2nd test in Melbourne just two weeks ago.

Tributes posted on social networking sites described Graham as a popular figure in the community.

Mark Clay said Graham, from Saxilby, Lincolnshire, was a honest and reliable man.

Posting on Facebook, he said: 'The times spent with you weren't about work chat or anything like that they were, just a laugh, there are so many good memories of you that I'd be here all night, hope your at peace, taken too young but you'll never be forgotten buddy, lots of love to Fiona and family.'

Lee Marshall Ritchie said: 'Will miss you Graham, it was a pleasure to work alongside you in my time at RM, your passing leaves our office in shock and we are still struggling to comprehend everything that's gone on. R.I.P my friend.'

Former colleague Julie Daly, added: 'Such sad news Graham was my boss when I started at Royal Mail many years ago. I haven't been there for a while and couldn't believe it when I heard. My thoughts go out to his family.'

On hearing of Graham's death, local resident Rachel Gallimore criticised the conditions that postmen have to work in saying bosses should be more considerate of hot weather.

'I reckon that if it gets to a certain temperature then they shouldn't be out in the heat,' she wrote. 'We wouldn't allow them to deliver in thick snow because of the danger of slipping so why allow them to be in danger of heat stroke or dehydration. Drinking plenty of water is fine but in this heat it wont be in the body for very long.'

Royal Mail spokesman Nick Martens, said: 'Royal Mail confirms that one of our colleagues at the Lincoln Delivery Office died this week while out delivering the mail.

'Our thoughts are very much with his family, friends and colleagues at this very sad time.'

Father-of-one Jordan Graham, 21, plunged 30ft to his death from the roof of a third-storey flat in County Durham on Tuesday evening.

His father Martin Graham, 50, said he had been told the spot was known as 'a bit of a suntrap'.

He said: 'Apparently the previous tenants who have lived there have always used
it as one. They have come out (from the skylight window onto the roof above a bay window) for years.

'Jordon, who was visiting friends, apparently slipped and fell. He died instantly as he hit the floor.

'We are not a hundred per cent sure what happened. It is still under investigation, but the police don’t think there is any foul play. It is just a tragic accident.'

He described Jordan, a keen rugby player, as a 'kind and considerate' son. He became a father himself to son Toby, last November.

Mr Graham said: 'He was ever so proud and he doted on him. He was a wonderful father.'

A police investigation into the circumstances of Jordan's death is continuing.

So far 13 people have died swimming in old quarries, lakes and rivers, including a man who dived into the Thames to save a 12-year-old girl.

On Monday Daniel Clemo, 24, from Caerphilly, and a man of 52 were found dead in reservoirs in the Brecon Beacons, South Wales.

Researchers have found that between 540 and 760 people will have perished in England alone during the first nine days of the heatwave. And with the heatwave set to last until the end of next week, they warn the figures could easily double.

It comes after the Met Office issued a 'level three' heatwave warning after temperatures reached 32.2C in Hampton, south-west London, yesterday - making it the hottest day of the year so far.

And temperatures are expected to top 30C (86F) again today, according to MeteoGroup, with the heatwave expected to last until the end of next week.

There is currently no maximum temperature at which workers can refuse to work.

However the Health and Safety Executive say workrooms should normally be at least 16 degrees unless the work involves severe physical effort when the room should be at least 13 degrees.