Man who died in snow named as 20-year-old Matt Watt from Haddington

THE 20-year-old man who died after falling over in the snow at the weekend has been named on social media.

Matt Watt, from Haddington, who has been named by family as the man who died last week. Picture: Facebook

Matt Watt, from Haddington, East Lothian, was crossing Nungate Bridge in the town when he fell over on Friday morning.

Locals who were crossing the pedestrian bridge rushed to help the man by resuscitating him - but said he turned “blue”.

Matt was given oxygen in an ambulance and was later taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but sadly passed away shortly after.

A source close to the enquiry said they believe the death was drug related.

The 20-year-old’s family today confirmed the tragic news, but did not wish to comment any further.

However, locals were keen to pay tribute online to the “big friendly guy” with “a beautiful mind”, as the news spread over the weekend.

Matt’s mother Mandy Watt confirmed that Matt had passed on Friday, but said the family do not wish to comment at this time.

On Friday, Mandy wrote on her Facebook page: “Sadly Matt passed away suddenly earlier today. He was loved very much and will be sadly missed.”

Other locals were quick to pay tribute to the young man.

Connor Mason wrote: “So sad, RIP big fella. It’s really unexpected and saddening, really unfair that he’s been taken away from us. I’ll certainly miss the big friendly guy and it won’t be the same.”

Dan Algeo added: “So sad to hear this. Matt was one of the good guys. My thoughts are with the whole family.”

James Ross commented: “This boy had a beautiful mind and made people believe amazing wonderful things about themselves. I will miss you man. Let’s bring peace to the world.”

Padraig Quinn posted: “Reast in peace brother taken far too soon.”

While Naomi Pearson said: “I can’t get over this he was my world. I’ll miss him so much actually can’t stop crying.”

Matt was crossing the Nungate Bridge in Haddington on Friday when he slipped and fell.

The pedestrian bridge was covered in snow due to the severe weather that caused chaos across Scotland last week.

Police and ambualnce staff attended the scene and tried to help the man for around an hour.

Matt was given oxygen in an ambulance and later taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but sadly passed away shortly after.

One local, who was at the scene, said on social media after the incident: “I was there when the man fell.

“We were trying to keep him warm and had to resuscitate him we left when ambulance came. Very scary, he was blue.”

A member of staff from the Waterside Bistro restaurant, next door to the bridge, said today: “We had popped out to help with some blankets and I know he was taken away in an ambulance but we didn’t know what happened after that. A lot of local residents were around him.

“I know the bridge has been quite well salted and shovelled.”

A Police Scotland spokesman said on Friday: “Police in East Lothian attended at the Nungate Bridge in Haddington at around 10.45am on Friday 2nd March following reports of a man having taken unwell.

“The 20-year-old was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he sadly passed away.

“This death is currently being treated as unexplained but not suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. “

A source close to the enquiry added that they believe Matt’s death to be drug related.

Mum-of-two Elaine Gunn McNeill, 42, was found dead in the snow on Wednesday as she made her way to work.

Elaine was discovered on Kippen Street, Glasgow, when her manager at Cordia Services tracked her mobile phone after she did not make contact.