General Chat

This doesn't surprise me at all. Its the sad state of the world we live in. I found out last week. A young was trying to kill herself on one of the major roads near where i live. It was late at night and nobody stopped to help her, just ensured they dodged her!. I stopped and got out of my car- i am only 5ft 3- far from stocky, to see if i could help her. Not one person stopped to help me. Luckily her boyfriend came along and sat on her (i know that sounds awful but better than being hit by a lorry). Still no one stopped. This gave me enough time to call the police so they could secure the road and help. Ok we don't know that people are on drugs etc- but how can people live with themselves! That could easily have been one of their friends or relatives. It just so happened that she had hit a real crisis point in her life andwas a cry for help. So easily could have been the tragic end.

Just told my Husband about this. He is a Housing Manager. He says it is in Walsall, West Midlands. I find it so hard to believe. But knowing Walsall Metropolitain Borough Council, I know the area, I can well believe it. Hubby says it is quite possible to happen if the man was on Housing benefits and had money paid into his bank account on a long term basis. Obviously some utilities may have been cut off. But it is no excuse that neighbours had not noticed anything. Will get onto my older daughters who live about 15 miles away from the area and see what I can find out. Jenny.

I can visualise how this sort of thing can happen..........pension paid into a bank....direct debits for the services.and rent paid.....via the bank.......who is to know? unless its up to the 'nosey' neighbour that misses someone. yes it can happen, sorry to say...... Bob

It is a very sad fact that this happens in our society.Although 6 years is a long time not to be found Years ago with the people we are all researching it probably would not of happened often, because people looked after there friends, neighbours and family. Now a days every one is to busy to check if they haven't seen an elderly neighbour for a few days.And with the cut backs most of the times home helps don't work weekends. When i was in the nursing profession we had a gent brought in to our home that had alzheumer's and had lain next to his dead wife for a week as the home help was private( paid for by family that lived away) and she was on holiday and no-one covered her, All the poor man could say was 'she couldn't make his tea, she was poorly' so he had lived of whatever he found in the fridge. Maybe we should all make an effort to look out for people around us. I know I do and have told all my neighbours that if ever they need us day or night they only have to knock the door. God rest the poor mans soul and may be laid to rest in peace at last. Jan

So, so sad, and it's natural to want to blame someone. Fact is these things can just 'happen' in spite of everyone's bet efforts. It's very sad for the man in question but realistically after death it would not matter to him. I feel for all the family and others left behind who will now be saying 'what if......?' I notice that the Local Authority has apologised but so far as I'm aware they don't have a responsibility for people's welfare. It's a sad situation all round.

Hi Lisa, Thanks for your kind thoughts. No my brother has always been like this from a little boy. My Mum and Dad were so lovely and tried to protect him from everything. I think if he were young now he may be diagnosed with something like Aspergers Syndrome which is a milder form of Autism. My daughter and I have researched this and it seems quite likely. My Mum is the only person he has shown any form of affection for and that wasn't much. Linda

linda so sorry that this has happened to your brother.it must be heartbreaking for you.did your parents death affect him in anyway.sometimes when a trauma occurs some people feel as though they want to leave the outside world behind them and just be on their ownxxxxx):

this may happen in our town soon as our local authority want to cancel meals on wheels in june as they want to save money, what make me laugh is the pensioners pay for the meal and the delivery people are voluntry, the council last year voted to have retirement bonus of 20,000 each councillor , the only people these pensioners see is meals on wheels , the volunteers will even pop down shop for them if they need something, and now council tax has gone up , its one big joke this government and thier councillors

It's very sad. My brother lives opposite me and is a recluse. He lived with our parents all his life and when they died in 2002 he took over the house,. He does not speak to anyone, doesn't want company and doesn't want what he calls 'interfering'. I can see his house lights from my house and look every day to see if lights are turned on on off and make sure the paper is taken out of the letter box every day. He's nearly 60 and I am terrified that this may happen to him. Sometimes it's not the fault of the relatives some people just want to be alone as sad as this sounds. Linda.

not sure.found them on the quicksearch so just put it upxxxxx(:

Lisa.I worked as a Housing Welfare Officer for the local Council many years ago and I hate to tell you that this is not uncommon.You usually get a complaint about flies or smells from the neighbours. It is very sad. I could write a book - - Rose

that's so sad lisa can i just ask what the numbers after your name are for? not your membership no nicky.x

it pains me to think this man was on his own when he died and lain undiscovered.what about christmas while his family was tucking into their dinner he was dead and on his own.it has really upset me today reading this and other people are in the same position where as if they died tehe same sad end could happen to themxx):

I work for a Housing Ass..in sheltered housing..i know it's different in my case coz we visit tenants on a daily basis...but i also know that a property would not be left for 6yrs..they would have realised before if they had taken their responsibilities seriously..they would have sent an inspector to carry out a void check, if they thought he'd died or moved on..but then why hadn't they noticed his tenancy agreement wasn't cancelled....but as mentioned up the thread...the family should take some of the blame.

I would hate to think if I died and my brother was unaware of it, that he would just take the word of a neighbour!! and similarly the Council should have entered the flat (assuming it belonged to them, which it seems it does) to ensure that the place was left without any rubbish to attrack vermin etc. if they thought he had died, or had left. I think the family of the man, the neighbours and the council should all take equal responsibility for the awful scene. Another one 'slipped by the post' then.

Heard this on the news. I think it's a disgrace that his Local Housing Rent Department didn't realise that something must be wrong with this chap cos his rent wouldn't have been paid and of course would have been in serious arrears.They should have contacted the police to break in. I have worked in Local rent offices and if we didn't see an elderly person every week we used to call round to their houses to make sure the person was ok. Sue

They say his brother, doctor and council officials had visited the flat between 98-99 and were told by neighbours he had either died or moved away. It seems he remained undiscovered because the building was to be demolished and he would have been found had the flat been rented to another tenant. Very sad. Aileen

I'm sorry if I offend anyone by saying this, but what sort of family are they if they dont notice he's missing? June xx

Spare a thought also for the LocalAuthority Environmental Health Team who had to clear the flat! Jacqui

I heard that the authority apologised to his family. How come they didn't notice him not being around!! Jacky :~