A much-loved Leeds man “with a heart of gold” has tragically passed away after suffering a suspected medical episode.
Police officers attended an address on Broadlea Oval, Bramley, in Leeds, at 2.55pm on Tuesday after a report of a concern for safety.
The body of an adult man was found at the scene, and his death is believed to have been a medical episode.
Neighbours of the man, known locally as Phil and understood to be in his late fifties, have paid tribute to him.
Local resident Leanne said: “He was a grumpy so-and-so but he had a heart of gold.
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“He would sit in the same spot every day smoking a cig and would always say hello to me and the kids.
“Sometimes, I’d help him out and pop to the shops to get him a pint of milk if he needed. We spoke pretty much every day.
“I’d look out for him most days, but yesterday, I didn’t think to look out for him and I just think. ‘What if I had’. It's really sad.
She added: “He loved his cars and his motorbike – those were his pride and joy.”
Leanne said her partner and his friend had been the ones to first notice something wasn't quite right.
"My partner and his friend noticed Phil wasn't in his usual spot and hadn't moved," she said. "They tried to save him before the emergency services arrived."
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Sarah Jesmond, who lives down the street, said: “Everyone knew him round here – he was a lovely neighbour and very friendly. It was a shock to hear he’d died.
“He will certainly be missed.”
Another local, who asked not to be named, said: “He was lovely. He was always up for a laugh and a chat I knew him very well.
“It’s very sad, I'm gutted.”
In a statement, West Yorkshire Police said: “Officers were called to an address on Broadlea Oval, Bramley at 255pm on Tuesday 20 April following a report of a concern for safety.
“The body of an adult male was found and the death is believed to be a medical episode. A file has been prepared for the coroner.”
