Liam Trimmer died despite the best efforts of guests to try and save his life after the freak fall (Picture: Liam Trimmer)
The British police officer who died in a freak fall at his engagement party in Australia was due to become a dad for the first time, his heartbroken fiancée has revealed.
Liam Trimmer, 29, and partner Lilly Watts surprised loved ones gathered to celebrate with them at their home in Fremantle by announcing she was 14 weeks pregnant.
But moments later Liam, who left the UK as a teenager, slipped and cut a major artery in his neck.
Shocked guests, mostly comprising emergency worker colleagues of Liam and nurse Lilly, did all they could to save his life, but his injuries were too severe and he bled to death.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Lilly said her ‘soulmate’ was ‘truly excited to be a dad’.
‘I have never known a love like Liam’s and this heartbreak and emptiness is just so overwhelming,’ she said.
‘He will always be the love of my life and our baby will know the wonderful man he was.’
One of Lilly’s close friends, Mel Kelly, has created a fundraising page to help support her in the wake of the tragedy.
She wrote: ‘Lilly’s world was shattered by a freak accident that claimed the life of her beloved fiancé.
Liam Trimmer, 29, and partner Lilly Watts told loved ones gathered to celebrate with them that she was 14 weeks pregnant
‘The evening was meant to be a joyous celebration of Lilly and Liam’s recent engagement and announcing their pregnancy, a huge milestone in their journey together.
‘Friends and family gathered to share in their happiness. In a cruel twist of events, Liam’s life was cut short leaving behind a void that can never be filled.’
Liam moved to Western Australia in 2013 when he was a teenager.
He graduated from Australia’s Joondalup Police Academy before relocating to the city of Kalgoorlie, 370 miles east of Perth, in 2017.
The ‘very capable, confident’ man became a prominent member of the community, playing for the local rugby team and joining the police force’s tactical response group.
Liam’s death prompted police colleagues, politicians and the local community to mourn and commemorate this ‘valued member of the blue family’.
Liam moved to Western Australia in 2013 when he was a teenager (Picture: Supplied)
Western Australia Police Commissioner Col Blanch said: ‘This extraordinary officer loved helping the community and was a fine example of WA policing and it’s just such a tragedy.
‘(He was) a very, very confident, capable young man with his whole life ahead of him, and that’s how sad this is.’
Paul Gale, president of the Western Australia Police Union, said: ‘Every time a death occurs for a police officer, it doesn’t matter how, it really does rock the core of the police family.’
The state’s deputy premier Rita Saffioti described Liam’s death as an ‘awful, awful tragedy.
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She said: ‘As I understand it, this police officer came over from the UK to start a new life in WA.
‘My condolences go out to the family and friends of that particular officer.’
It is not yet clear how Liam suffered the fatal neck wound and the circumstances will be investigated at an inquest.
There will be a post-mortem examination on Liam’s body and the coroner is expected to make a statement regarding his death in a matter of days.
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