‘Heartbreaking that this can happen here’ – Shock as homeless man dies in York shop doorway
A homeless man has died in a shop doorway in York.
The news has been met with shock and dismay – and a pledge to remember him at a special event to mark World Homeless Day next week.
Emergency services were called to the man, who was 46, in Goodramgate at about 1.10am on Monday (October 2).
Police and paramedics attended. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said: “At this stage there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.”
The man, of no fixed address, was said to be sleeping in the doorway of Watkinsons Shoes on Goodramgate.
Heartbreaking that this can happen
The sad news was reported on the Facebook events page for the World Homeless Day rally, being hosted by two York Big Issue vendors, Norbert and Liam, next Tuesday (October 10).
“This is the first death on York’s streets this year of a rough sleeper, let’s pray that we have no more during the course of this coming winter,” Norbert and Liam posted.
Volunteer group Kitchen For Everyone York (KEY), which serves food to those in need from the Spurriergate Centre, spoke for all when they said:
This man was a regular visitor to KEY and was always so very grateful for any donations he was given.
Please, if you see someone sleeping in the streets, stop and say hello, buy them a coffee, acknowledge they are just someone down on their luck who may just need a hi and a smile to make their day that little bit brighter.
RIP to our friend, sleep well
This is the saddest news
Many in York knew the homeless man, named as Chris, and spoke of their shock and sadness. “What a lovely guy he was,” posted Victoria Barrett.
“Tragic, only speaking to him on Sunday. Can’t believe this.”
Andy Darbyshire said: “This is the saddest news. He was such a pleasant and polite person.
“He will be missed by us all. R.I.P Chris.”
At the World Homeless Day event in St Helen’s Square, there will be a rally and outdoor meeting “with music and prayer for all those who struggle with modern homelessness”.
A particular theme of the even is on children – with the demand “that today’s children don’t become tomorrow’s homeless”.