A WELL-KNOWN Edinburgh homeless man tragically passed away just moments after telling passersby that he felt fantastic.
Organic Jim was often found in the streets of the capital and was best known for his incredibly healthy diet, often turning away food given to him.
Mercy crews were scrambled to Grange Road in Edinburgh last Saturday evening after reports of a man falling unwell.
The 64-year-old had collapsed, and subsequent attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful with police pronouncing him dead at the scene.
Locals paid tribute to the much-loved individual who many commented often brightened up their day.
The moniker of Organic Jim was bestowed upon the Scotsman due to his habit of passing out herbal tea bags to those he struck up a conversation with.
He also discussed the dangers of eating refined sugar and had a very healthy diet asking kind-hearted citizens of Auld Reekie to purchase him kefir or salmon.
It is believed that Jim first arrived in Edinburgh in the 1980s and over the years amassed a number of belongings that were kept in a variety of bags around him.
He would often manage to get shelter and then find a lift to take his belongings around the Tollcross and Morningside areas of Edinburgh.
The sad news of his passing was shared online with a post reading: “I heard that Organic Jim died suddenly, if anyone could post details of the funeral arrangements which are being/ have been made for him I should be grateful.
“He spent all of Tuesday in Sciennes House Place and looked quite well, clean shaven with trimmed hair and was wearing clean summer clothing.”
The post received over 100 likes with dozens of comments from locals who were left gutted at the sad news.
One said: “A couple of years back when I was staying in Edinburgh I met Jim three days in a row, he taught me a lot and is a beautiful soul, I know he is at peace now.”
Another added: “I’m really sorry to hear that, god bless him.”
A third replied: “Jim was a resident of my stairwell for a while and I regularly gave him and his stuff a lift to his next habitat when he could remember where it was. I’m glad he was clearly clean and cared for somewhere before he died.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7:35pm on Saturday, 1 June, 2024, police were called to a report of a man found unresponsive in Grange Road, Edinburgh.
“Emergency services attended, and a 64-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
A local man who attempted to resuscitate Jim told Edinburgh Live: “My partner and I bumped into him and he wanted us to listen to some music with him, he danced and sang for us and was so happy, then collapsed. I tried to resuscitate him and got the paramedics.
“It was a sad night, but he was undoubtedly happy in those last moments. He said to me about feeling amazing.”
