THE body of a pensioner who died from a suspected heart attack is understood to have been left lying in a petrol station toilet for almost 18 hours.
George Hunter, 79, went into the staff toilet at the Glasgow BP garage in Yorkhill at 3pm on Friday but the body was only discovered at 8.50am the following day.
The business, which is situated just 500 metres from the pensioner’s home near the Kelvingrove Museum, was closed at 10.30pm on the Friday and not re-opened again until 7.30am on Saturday.
Mr Hunter’s neighbour Stephen Rodger, 44, said: “I think it’s absolutely shocking that George had been lying in the toilet for so many hours – and overnight – before he was discovered.
“How he could be lying there and not be discovered by whoever was shutting up the shop that night is absolutely unbelievable.
He added; “George was a lovely, outgoing guy. He was very happy go lucky. He was a community minded person and was well-liked by everyone in the neighbourhood.”
Mr Hunter lost his wife seven years ago and had no children but he did have a nephew, who travelled from Denny Stirlingshire to visit his uncle.
Mr Rodger said: “His wife Mary passed away a year ago and George had never really got over it. They were childhood sweethearts.”
Gary Ram who had been friends with Mr Hunter for more than 25 years said: “I had just spoken to him this week. We are all devastated.”
Mr Hunter had worked as a diver at city shipyards and before he retired, as a gardener for the Glasgow parks department.
Laterly he had also volunteered with Yorkhill Housing Association.
A representative for the BP garage was unavailable for comment yesterday (Sunday).
