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​Homeless Man Dies In Edinburgh While Sleeping Rough In -5c Temperatures

​Homeless Man Dies In Edinburgh While Sleeping Rough In -5c Temperatures

Despite paramedics being called to the scene, the man sadly lost the fight for his life

Anonymous

Anonymous

Tragic events unfolded in Edinburgh this week, after a homeless man died while sleeping rough in sub-zero temperatures.

The unidentified man spent the night next to his friend on a pair of dumped mattresses in the centre of the Scottish capital. Temperatures that night dropped to -5c and in the morning, passersby stepped in to help when his homeless pal couldn't wake him.

Despite paramedics being called to the scene, the man sadly lost the fight for his life. In an interview with The Scottish Sun, passerby Norman Ramsay, 56, was left shocked by the incident on Thursday morning.

"I saw one man shaking his friend but he wasn't responding. A neighbour went out and was speaking to the NHS on the phone while giving CPR. He started being sick because he hadn't done anything like that before.

"A woman came running in her pyjamas, she must have been a doctor or something. Paramedics arrived and she was helping. It's just tragic."

PA

Police cordoned off the scene, although the death is currently not believed to be suspicious. Forensics were reportedly in attendance and the results will head to the Procurator Fiscal for investigation.

In a cruel twist of fate, the death occurred on the same day Edinburgh City Council looked at the wider homeless issue as part of this year's budget, with aim to reduce the number of those being placed in emergency B&B accommodation and offer more stable housing.

More measures are being put in place to help house homeless people in the city, including non-for-profit business Social Bite taking £3m from a fundraising event to support 600 people over the next 18 months.

However, it's tragic that people have already died while enduring insufferable conditions on the streets.

PA

SNP councilor Kate Campbell spoke out about the death, which unfolded in an affluent area of the city, stating it should 'shame us all'.

As chair of the Edinburgh homelessness task force, Campbell added, "This morning one of the men did not wake up. This is something that should shame us all. But it must also spur us to act."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News, Homeless