Dunfermline postal workers shocked by double death tragedy

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.dunfermlinepress.com/news/ro ... h-tragedy/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

POSTAL workers in Dunfermline have been shocked by the death of two of their colleagues on successive days this week.

Royal Mail staff at the Woodmill Road depot were still coming to terms with the loss of 40-year-old Gordon Morris on Monday when they were told Iain Kilpatrick had also died on Tuesday night.

Gordon had been in a coma in hospital after collapsing while out on his deliveries.

He had been a postman since 1994 and was on his route in Pitcorthie when he fell seriously ill in the back of a van two weeks ago.

He was helped by a workmate and two local residents who went to his aid.

Iain (65) had been working as normal on Tuesday but later took ill and died.

Colleague at the Dunfermline depot, Garry Haldane, said, “The thoughts of everyone here are with the families of Gordon and Iain.

“Gordon was out on deliveries and was in the back of the van when he took unwell.

They took him to hospital and found he had a blood clot and needed surgery. They had to put him into an induced coma and he never came out of that.

“As his colleagues we’re all quite shocked. He was only 40. The guy he worked with has taken it badly and he’s off work just now. He and another colleague went in on Sunday to visit him.”

Away from work Gordon, whose parents live in Dunfermline, was a keen pool player and Hearts supporter.

The sombre atmosphere at the depot turned to shock when workers turned up at work yesterday morning (Wednesday) to be told of Iain’s sudden death.

Mr Haldane said, “Iain hadn’t been feeling well and was off at the weekend but he was back in on Tuesday.

"He was complaining of chest pains but thought it might be a virus and worked on.

“Then the manager got a phone call this morning to say Iain had died. We think it was a heart attack. The place is very quiet today.

"Although there are 160 people here we’re quite close and to have two colleagues die like this is terrible.

"Another worker had a stroke after Gordon took ill, fortunately he is recovering but it’s been a bad time.”

Iain, from Whirlbut Crescent, had been a postie since 1999 and delivered by van to rural homes.

"He was well-known as a former barman in Dunfermline’s Old Inn and was a familiar sight driving around the area in his classic American cars.

Royal Mail delivery director covering Fife, Paul Kelly, said, “It is with great shock and sadness that staff at Dunfermline Delivery Office learned of the sudden deaths of two of their long-serving colleagues this week.

"Both were valued members of staff and will be sorely missed by their colleagues, friends and customers here.

"Our deepest sympathy and thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time.”

[justdeno]

R I P both, its so sad. Thinking of their families, as I had a family death on Monday.

[Surreypostie]

R.I.P. Thoughts with the families.

[stokes11eg]

RIP.

[billyboy123]

R.I.P. OUR THOUGHTS AS ALWAYS ARE WITH THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS
IM SURE I SPEAK FOR ALL POSTIES

[feduppostie]

RIP very sad at any time but more so at this time of year

[red666bear]

God bless you both and your families. Rest in peace brothers. X

[rhino49]

Terrible, terrible news - my deepest sympathies to their families and friends. I hope this brings home to the standard setters in power and those who constantly seek to extend our pension ages, that the working man in this country needs more consideration and health care support than those with chair bound non physical occupations. The odds are not in our favour. We were not born to be beasts of burden and in days gone by, life expectancy was less than it is now because of that. If we are to enjoy the lives we work for then we need more conscience shown for our welfare.

[mandelsons_toenail]

Awful.

May the rest in peace.

And may any colleagues affected by it be treat with some sympathy

[5plusbonusball]

R.I.P. but how many more?

[thehulk]

R.I.P. to both of them

[maisymoo04]

How sad is that