Scots tourist critical as surgeons to attempt skin graft after Rome explosion

A Scottish tourist remains in critical condition after an explosion caused third-degree burns to 75% of his body.

Grant Paterson was on holiday when a blast destroyed the B&B he was staying at in Rome.

The 54-year-old, from East Kilbride, was pulled from the rubble by firefighters at around 8.45am on Sunday.

On Wednesday, doctors will attempt a skin graft – surgery to replace Mr Paterson’s damaged skin with that from a donor.

The explosion took place in the Monteverde district of Rome near Villa Doria Pamphili and destroyed the B&B the Scottish man was reportedly staying in. EBU

The explosion on Sunday took place in the Monteverde district of Rome near Villa Doria Pamphili – a seventeenth-century villa surrounded by a public park.

He was taken to Sant’Eugenio Hospital with injuries to his legs and the most severe burns to 75% of his body.

The hospital said Mr Paterson is currently breathing with the assistance of mechanical ventilation and his condition is described as critical but stable.

He has undergone surgery to remove debris from his body caused by the explosion, a spokesperson told STV News.

“He has undergone dermal debridement to remove part of the necrotic tissue,” the hospital said.

“Tomorrow, he will undergo surgical technics for the implantation of homologous skin grafts from a donor.”

Mr Paterson posted on Facebook on March 17 saying he had arrived at the B&B and shared pictures on social media of himself taking in some of Rome’s most famous sights such as the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain.

“Arrived in Rome, trains planes, buses and foot… easy… accommodation is beautiful,” he posted.

“This should be a good week… if I don’t get killed in some ungodly way…”

Mr Paterson works for Calmac as part of its catering crew on the MV Clansman ferry.

Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome, said initial findings suggest the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak.

“Well, it was a very strong blast because, as you see, a building collapsed but even the wall of Villa Pamphili was also damaged,” he said.

“All the initial findings seem to suggest that it was a gas leak, maybe a cylinder that exploded, but it produced very significant damage.

“There is one injured person who has been taken to the hospital at this time.

Roberto Gualtieri, mayor of Rome, said initial findings suggest the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak. EBU

“He has suffered burns, which also suggests that this was an explosion caused by gas, which also results in flames.

“And most likely it is the guest of an accommodation facility, on which we are also doing the maximum investigations to assess the regularity, all the investigations are ongoing.”

The local fire service said: “Around 9am, there was an explosion and a collapse of a two-story building in the Monteverde area.

“The USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) firefighters pulled a man alive from the rubble.

“The search continues to exclude the presence of other people involved.”

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has been hospitalised in Italy and are in contact with the local authorities.”