A man has died in Rome after a gas explosion completely destroyed a B&B he was staying in.
Grant Paterson, 54, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, died from his injuries following the explosion that happened at around 8.30am on March 22.
He was pulled out of the ruins after he suffered severe burns and was taken to hospital for treatment, according to Roma Today.
Grant was employed by CalMac which confirmed today that he had died.
Photos from his social media show him visiting sites like the Pantheon and Colosseum just days before his death.
He wrote in a previous Facebook post: ‘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…’
Grant posted about his visit to the Pantheon as well and wrote: ‘Genuinely a dream fulfilled….. I have wanted to see the Pantheon since I was a child. So, so chuffed.’
A JustGiving fundraiser has already raised £12,870 for Grant’s family.
People have been sharing their tributes to him in the comments section, including a user called Debbie, who wrote: ‘So sad to hear this. Hadn’t seen Grant’s face since Hunter High. Just awful. Thoughts with his daughter.’
Adrian Whittaker added: ‘I was saddened to hear this about Grant and and send my best wishes to his family.’
While Rob Walker wrote: ‘So sorry to hear this. Sailed as a passenger on the MV Clansman many times.’
Diane Burke, CalMac’s chief operating officer, 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.’
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Italy and are in touch with the local authorities.’
Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, visited the scene of the explosion and told reporters: ‘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.’
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