British tourist dies after suspected gas explosion at Rome B&B

Telegraph

01-04-2025

A British tourist who was badly burned in a gas explosion while on holiday in Rome has died of his injuries.
Grant Paterson, 54, was on a solo trip to the Italian capital and staying in rented accommodation in the Monteverde district when the explosion happened last month.
Days before the blast, he had written a curious note on Facebook, saying: 'This should be a good week ... if I don't get killed in some ungodly way.'
The explosion – the cause of which is still being investigated – left him with severe burns on around 70 per cent of his body.
After being dug out of the rubble, he was taken to Rome's Sant'Eugenio hospital where doctors performed several operations.
A few days ago, doctors said that Mr Paterson was being intubated with 'mechanically assisted breathing' and was not conscious.
The death of Mr Paterson, from East Kilbride in Lanarkshire, was announced on Tuesday.
Roberto Gualtieri, the mayor of Rome, offered his condolences to the Briton's family and said the whole city was shocked by his passing.
'The death of Grant Paterson, the Scottish tourist in the explosion in Monteverde, is news that saddens the whole of Rome,' said Mr Gualtieri.
'I would like to express to his loved ones and to all his countrymen my personal condolences as well as those of the city. I truly hope that the investigations underway can swiftly bring clarity to this terrible accident.'
'A true gentleman'
Mr Paterson was employed by the Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac).
He worked on board a ferry called the MV Clansman, part of a fleet which connects the Scottish mainland to islands like Harris, Iona, Eigg and Muck.
Diane Burke, chief operation officer for CalMac, said: 'Everyone at CalMac is distraught that Grant has passed away. He was a true gentleman and a credit to MV Clansman, the vessel he served aboard.
'During a distinguished 12-year career with us, he embodied the very best of CalMac and, with his larger-than-life character, he was much loved by colleagues and passengers alike. Our thoughts are with Grant's friends and family at this extremely difficult time.'
Mr Paterson had arrived in Rome on March 17. On Facebook, he said he was excited to explore the city and was staying in 'beautiful accommodation'.
Six days later, he was badly hurt in the explosion, which devastated the centuries-old building he was staying in.
Firefighters and police are investigating the blast, but reports suggest they believe it was an accident involving a gas leak.
In another strange twist, it emerged that Roberto Saviano, a well-known Italian author who has lived under police protection since writing a book about the Camorra mafia of Naples, lived in the property until recently.
In a post on Instagram, he wrote: 'How heartbreaking to see rubble in a place where I loved to live.'