Latest news with #GrantPaterson
The Guardian
01-04-2025
- The Guardian
Scottish tourist dies in Rome hospital after suspected gas explosion
A Scottish tourist who suffered severe burns in a suspected gas explosion at a building in Rome has died of his injuries. Grant Paterson, 54, was admitted to hospital on 23 March after the explosion and subsequent collapse of the block of flats where he was staying, in the Monteverde district. The explosion, which is still under investigation, occurred on the final day of Paterson's visit to the Italian capital. He was pulled out from beneath the rubble and taken to Rome's Saint'Eugenio, where he underwent several operations for burns to about 75% of his body. Doctors said a few days ago that Paterson, from East Kilbride in South Lanarkshire, was not conscious and his breathing was being 'mechanically assisted'. His death was announced on Tuesday. Paterson had arrived in Rome on 17 March on a solo trip, visiting tourist sites including the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and the Colosseum. In a post on Facebook, he shared photos of his accommodation, writing that it was 'beautiful' and that the images did not do it justice. Roberto Gualtieri, the mayor of Rome, said the news of his death had 'saddened the whole of Rome'. 'I would like to express to his loved ones and fellow compatriots my personal condolences and those of the city,' Gualtieri said. 'I truly hope that the investigation into the incident can quickly shed light on this terrible accident.' Italy's tourism minister, Daniela Santanchè, also offered condolences to Paterson's family, adding it was essential 'to shed full light' on what happened. She said: 'The safety of tourists is an absolute priority, and it is precisely for this reason that the tourism ministry has introduced specific measures regarding safety and fire prevention, so that everyone can stay in our country with complete peace of mind.' It is unclear where the explosion originated in the three-storey centuries-old building, which reportedly contained six flats. There were no other injuries. Sign up to Headlines UK Get the day's headlines and highlights emailed direct to you every morning after newsletter promotion Paterson worked for the Scottish ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac). His employer described him as 'a true gentleman' and said colleagues were 'distraught' by his death. Diane Burke, CalMac's chief operating officer, added: '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.'
Local Italy
01-04-2025
- Local Italy
Scottish tourist dies after Rome holiday home explosion
Grant Paterson, 54, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, was on a break in Rome when his holiday home in Rome's Monteverde district collapsed after an explosion on Sunday, March 23rd. Following the blast, the man was said to have suffered major leg injuries and burns covering 75 percent of his body. Paterson died in hospital on Tuesday morning, Il Corriere di Roma reported. A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said that they were 'supporting the family of a British man who died in Italy' and were in touch with local authorities, according to British news reports. Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri said in a statement that the news of Paterson's death "saddens all of Rome". 'I want to express my personal condolences and those of the entire city to his loved ones and fellow citizens. I sincerely hope that the ongoing investigation will swiftly shed light on this terrible accident," he added. The Rome Public Prosecutor's Office launched an official investigation into the explosion last week. The probe, which is led by Deputy Prosecutor Giovanni Conzo, is linked to potential charges of involuntary personal injury (lesioni colpose) and involuntary disaster (disastro colposo), Italian media reports said. The explosion, which occurred at around 9am on March 23rd, 'felt like a bomb', according to reports from local residents. The blast damaged part of the walls of Villa Pamphili – a 17th-century villa boasting the largest landscaped public park in Rome – as well as several cars parked in front of the building. Following the explosion, Italian writer and journalist Roberto Saviano, famous for his international mafia bestseller Gomorrah, said on social media he used to live in the building.
Telegraph
01-04-2025
- Telegraph
British tourist dies after suspected gas explosion at Rome B&B
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.'
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
UK tourist seriously injured after explosion at B&B in Rome
A 54-year-old Scottish man is currently being treated in a Rome hospital after a gas explosion occurred at his B&B in the city. Grant Paterson, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, has been left with severe burns after the blast erupted at his three-storey accommodation in the Monteverde area of the city on Saturday morning, as reported by Associated Press. Local news site Roma Today reported that Mr Paterson was conscious as responders pulled him from the rubble of the explosion, but suffered third degree burns to 75% of his body. READ MORE: Full list of Morrisons closures - including 52 cafes, 18 Market Kitchens and 17 convenience stores READ MORE: Mourners turn town red as hundreds attend funeral of 10-year-old Manchester United fan Poppy Atkinson Social media posts show that Mr Paterson arrived in Rome last week for a holiday and had visited popular sites such as the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain. A caption alongside one of his posts reads: 'Arrived in Rome, trains, planes, buses and foot … Accommodation is beautiful. This should be a good week … if I don't get killed in some ungodly way …' Roberto Gualtieri, the Mayor of Rome, has ordered a full investigation into the explosion. 'It was a very loud explosion", he told reporters at the scene. "A building collapsed and the wall of Villa Pamphili was also damaged.' The East Kilbride native will continue to receive treatment at Sant'Eugenio hospital in the coming days. A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has been hospitalised in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.' The BBC have reported that Mr Paterson is employed by Scottish ferry operator CalMac
The Independent
24-03-2025
- The Independent
Scottish tourist seriously injured in hospital after Rome explosion
A Scottish tourist is seriously injured in hospital after a gas explosion destroyed a three-storey B&B in Rome. Grant Paterson, 54, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, has reportedly been left severely burned after the explosion in the Monteverde area of the city at about 8.30am on Saturday. Mr Paterson was pulled out of the ruins conscious but is believed to have suffered third degree burns to 75% of his body, according to local news site Roma Today. He is understood to be receiving treatment at Sant'Eugenio hospital. Social media posts show Mr Paterson arrived in Rome last week for a holiday and had visited famous sites such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon before Saturday's incident. He wrote: 'Arrived in Rome, trains, planes, buses and foot … Accommodation is beautiful. This should be a good week … if I don't get killed in some ungodly way …' Roberto Gualtieri, the Mayor of Rome, visited the scene and told reporters he has ordered a full investigation into the explosion. He said: 'The important thing is that fortunately there are no victims, although unfortunately one person was seriously injured. 'Most likely he is a guest of a hospitality facility, of Scottish origin. We don't know his exact condition, but he suffered burns, and this also suggests that it was an explosion caused by gas, which also causes flames. 'It was a very loud explosion, a building collapsed and the wall of Villa Pamphili was also damaged.' A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: 'We are supporting the family of a British man who has been hospitalised in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.'
