A Scottish tourist was seriously injured in a suspected gas explosion in Rome last month.
Grant Paterson suffered third grade burns to 75 percent of his body after the bed and breakfast in which he was staying, was reduced to rubble in the explosion on March 23.
Unbelievable, he became alive and consciously from the wreck of the three-storey building in the Monteverde area of ​​the Italian capital.
He underwent an emergency operation in the Sant'UIGENIO hospital of the city and remained unconscious on a fan before a further operation for skin vessels last week.
It is understanding that his daughter flew to be with him with an online fundraising that started to help cover the costs.
However, officials confirmed yesterday that the 54-year-old, from East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, had succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities are now investigating the incident as a 'manslaughter' with the most likely theory that the explosion was caused by a gas leak or a cylinder.
Roberto Galtieri, the mayor of Rome, ordered the probe in the immediate aftermath of the explosion and said: 'The wounded was a guest in an accommodation that is currently being investigated that a regularly registered Bed and Breakfast seems to be. The current investigation is intended to assess the safety and legality of the location.
“The wounded man has injuries that are consistent with an explosion because of a gas leak.”
Mr. Paterson, who had already worked for the ferry manager Calmac for more than a decade, reportedly had breakfast at the time of the explosion that neighbors described as a 'bomb that went off'.
Grant Paterson, from Oost -Kilbride, during his vacation in Rome
The remains of the Bed and Breakfast Mr Paterson stayed in Rome
A firefighter zift through the remains of the building after the suspected gas explosion
He traveled solo and had arrived in the luxury accommodation for a week last Monday, placing photos online and said, “This should be a good week … If I am not killed in a wicked way.”
Last night his employer paid tribute to him with Chief Operating Officer Diane Burke and said: 'Everyone at Calmac is desperately that Grant died.
“He was a real Lord and an honor to MV Clansman, the ship he served on board.
'During a distinguished 12-year career with us, he embodied the very best of Calmac and with his more than lifelong character, he was very popular with both colleagues and passengers.
“Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Grant in this extremely difficult time.”
There was an outpouring of condolences online, in which a large number of Italians expressed their grief for his family.
But there were also tribute closer to home with Grant Gibson who wrote on social media: 'Today during the news destroyed that Grant Paterson has lost his struggle for survival. Rip and clean wind. You will be very missed big guy. '
Margaret Murdoch added: “Very sad news, sending sincere participation in his family, friends and clansman colleagues.”
And Donna Williams-Bale wrote: 'So sad to hear this. Grant was a sweet man, a real Lord. I will miss our chats while I am traveling.
'Our deepest condolences. Thoughts are with his daughter, family and friends and colleagues. Rest in Peace, Grant. You will really be missed. '
A spokesperson for the foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: “We support the family of a British man who died in Italy and has contact with the local authorities.”
