Forum Topic

Chiswick Roundabout Homeless Man

I was very sad to see that this gentleman passed away yesterday. He must have been living under the motorway for nearly forty years. There’s speculation via a Facebook group, that he lived there because his family had been killed in an accident close by. Does anyone know what his story was?

Holly Searle ● 2100d17 Comments

That's sad. I don't know his story, but I know he was offered housing numerous times and refused it. I was always surprised he was left to live in that squalor and danger. He was beaten up numerous times over the years. He probably needed to be sectioned and treated for mental heath issues and given a chance at a life instead of being left under the motorway living like a pigeon. We wouldn't allow a dog to live like that, so how was a person allowed to live like that for 40 years?  

Tania Bapuji ● 2100d

It is a desperately sad story but who are we to judge if he had been offered help inc. accommodation and chose not too accept the offers then the only other option would have been to section him. That might make people feel better but surely it was his life but would he have wanted that life??? We will never know RIP.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2100d

This poor man's situation sounds very like that of Miss Naismith - the lady who for many years lived in her derelict car in Prebend Gardens. The car was taken away by the council in an attempt to encourage her to take up proper accomodation but she wouldn't cooperate and ultimately ended up in an even worse position. In the end she died on the streets where she had lived, knocked down by a lorry on Chiswick High Rd. Sad stories both.

Bruce Hammal ● 2100d

'..so how was a person allowed to live like that for 40 years?'.Or,you could ask what justifies denying a person the right to live as they choose, despite being offered alternatives.I remember when this man set up there, it was more like 30 years ago, and left some clothing for him  a while later.The next thing I noticed was a sign he had erected to the effect 'don't leave your rubbish here ' etc.

Keith Iddon ● 2100d

Ha classic Keith, wonder why they refuse a home it's so scary on the streets.

Janice Evans ● 2100d

Yep, he was somewhat adept at painting and displaying signs which read something like 'Keep your tat, English hypocrites'. I saw somebody had 'thrown' him a Christmas cake once - the pigeons were having a right old feast.

Anne England ● 2100d

He used to feed the cats that live behind the green gates on the edge of the B&Q carpark beside the main road, opposite his camp.

Carl Wynne ● 2100d

He sounds like he wanted to be left alone.Is it still ok to be sectioned if you want to die?

Rowland Ellam-Bell ● 2098d

Good question.I think you're kept alive at all costs however unbearable life may be.Alternatively a one way ticket to Switzerland if you've got the cash.It is a tricky one for sure,a right old moral maze.

Ben Gemmingen ● 2098d

I was under the impression that you have to have a terminal illness to go to Switzerland. This topic is so complex.

Rowland Ellam-Bell ● 2098d

True but terminal and degenerative conditions aside, I think it's 'that' particular life or intolerable situation,with no end in sight which drives people to it which may even be a valid and rational option,all others being exhausted.

Ben Gemmingen ● 2098d

Sad to read that this rough-hewn soul has died.He was no stranger to the police, not for any criminal activity on his part, but to the inevitable incidents involving an unforgiving public, intolerant of his choice of lifestyle.I will vouch for his honesty; sometime in the mid 90s he found an envelope secreted in a nearby hedge- probably a result of a drugs transition- containing nearly £1000.John Dywer handed the money into the local police station, and 6 weeks later claimed it back since no finder was forthcoming.May he find peace.

Denis I. Fox ● 2098d

It's very sad as he was obviously a very nice person.

Janice Evans ● 2098d

Bump, for you Neil.

Janice Evans ● 2094d

The fact is that no authorities can force people to accept help if they do not want it. A lot of effort was made over the years with Miss Naismith, and I suspect that this was another case in point.

Vanessa Smith ● 2094d

Hi Janice. I don't know if you are referring to me but I scrolled through 4 pages to see if someone had already posted on this subject but missed it.

Neil Milkins ● 2094d

Yes, left you a message on your thread.

Janice Evans ● 2094d