A Dundee pensioner who collapsed while walking in the Angus Glens died “doing the thing he loved.”
John Anderson (78), of Marchfield Terrace, died in Ninewells Hospital following a dramatic late-night search and rescue operation in Glen Clova.
The former deputy head of Macalpine Primary School was found unconscious on the top of 2000ft Cairn of Barns by rescue workers at around 10.30pm on Monday.
He was suffering from a brain haemorrhage and had also developed hypothermia. Mr Anderson was airlifted to Ninewells, where he died in the early hours of Tuesday.
His grandson Scott McKenzie (26) said Mr Anderson would have died happy among the hills of his favourite beauty spot.
“It was a sudden, painless death and he wouldn’t have known what had happened,” said Mr McKenzie, who is the son of Mr Anderson’s daughter Alison.
“It was how he would have wanted to go and in a place that he loved that has been a great comfort to us.”
He added, “He went to the same three hills there every week for as long as I can remember.
“He has been a keen hillwalker for 50-odd years and he went out walking every single week, rain or shine.”
Mr McKenzie, a Dundee College student, said Mr Anderson had been widowed last summer when his wife Margot died.
He said, “It’s hard for us, especially so soon after my gran’s death, but at least they are together again now.””An absolute gem”Friends also paid tribute to Mr Anderson, a well-known member of the west end community.
Neighbour and friend Paul Preece said, “He was the perfect neighbour an absolute gem. He was the chairman of our Neighbourhood Watch and was immensely responsible for keeping the neighbourhood together.
“He was an immense walker and he swam up to three times a week. We are going to miss him terribly and the whole neighbourhood will do so, too.”
His next-door neighbour in Marchfield Terrace, Isabel Kennedy, added, “I have been here for 25 years and he was just a wonderful person.
“I have just been told and I am trying to take it in. It is so sad.”
She added, “He was always keen on his hillwalking and I spoke to him a couple of days ago.
“He was all set to go out to see his daughters in Australia next month.”
Around 30 people were involved in Monday night’s rescue, which comprised Tayside Police Search and Rescue Unit, the Tayside Civilian Mountain Rescue Team and a search and rescue helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth.
Stuart Johnston, leader of the civilian team, said that Mr Anderson was found on the summit of Cairn of Barns despite “very poor” weather conditions.
However, low cloud prevented the helicopter from landing at the top of the hill, which meant Mr Anderson had to be carried down to a lower altitude before being airlifted to Ninewells.
Mr Anderson is also survived by two further daughters, Gillian and Mary, who both live in Australia. It is understood they are travelling home for their father’s funeral.
Photo used under Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user stuant63.