Warners wanderer will be missed

One of Warner Beach’s more colourful characters has died after being hit by a train.

Patrick Sheridan, known as Paddy to everyone he befriended, was struck by a train on Saturday, 21 January while attempting to cross the tracks by the Winkle caravan park.

According to Moira Grundy, who works at Aida Real Estate, Paddy was treated at the scene, transported to Kingsway Hospital and then to Prince Mysheni Hospital.

“When we heard he was in hospital, some of us went to visit him on Thursday and Friday,” she said. “On Friday he wasn’t very responsive and we heard he died on Sunday.”

Paddy was a regular visitor, and Moira and the Aida team would give him a cup of coffee and a sandwich every morning when he popped in at 8am.

They helped him apply for his SA identity book and are still in possession of his passport.

Paddy was born in Ireland in 1948 and received his SA citizenship in 1975.

“He would walk from Bela Vista up to Winklespruit along Kingsway every morning,” said Moira.

“Everyone knew him. He was such a sweet soul and he wouldn’t harm anyone.”

The Aida team also have many of his old bank cards and statements as they often helped him apply for a new one when he forgot his PIN number.

“It is so sad he has died and he has no family members. He had one friend in Westville but he doesn’t even know how to start tracking down any of his family, if he has.

It such a sad situation and we are all heartsore. He was a poor old soul and he touched our hearts.”