B&B owner tells of moment residents '˜tried to save dying homeless man'

A B&B owner has described how members of the public made a last gasp attempt to save the life of a man sleeping on the street.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Join our Facebook group Our Edinburgh to share images and news from and around the Capital

Norman Ramsay, 56, owner of Ramay’s B&B and the rest of East London Street is in shock after a man’s body was discovered this morning.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He told the Evening News: “I came along the street this morning at 6.45am and saw two gentleman lying on the pavement on a mattress in sleeping bags.

The scene on East London Street this morning.The scene on East London Street this morning.
The scene on East London Street this morning.
Read More
'˜Homeless man' found dead in New Town

“When I got in I saw one man rolling his sleeping bag up and then shaking his friend but he wasn’t responding. I knew something wasn’t right.

“One of the neighbours went out to administer cpr. He started being sick because he obviously hadn’t done anything like that before.

“Next thing a woman comes running down the road in her pyjamas. The emergency responders arrived and she was helping the paramedic.

The scene on East London Street this morning.The scene on East London Street this morning.
The scene on East London Street this morning.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was very dramatic. They looked like they were homeless.”

He added: “I gave a coffee to the other gentleman who was really shook up. It was very icy and cold last night.

“I’ve been living here for 11 years and I’ve never seen anything like this happen. It’s really sad.”

Officers cordoned off the scene following the discovery at around 7:45am.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “Police in Edinburgh are currently in attendance following the discovery of a man’s body in East London Street.

“The incident was reported to police and emergency services around 7.45am on Thursday, February 22.

“Inquiries are currently ongoing, and the death is being treated as unexplained. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”