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Grandfather, 75, was killed in horrific hotel bath scalding accident as boiling hot water poured onto him and he was unable to get out, inquiry hears
- Wallace Hunter was staying with his wife at the Pitlochry Hotel in Perthshire
- The retired engineer died from catastrophic injuries
- Fatal Accident Inquiry at Alloa Sheriff Court to investigate cause of death
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A grandfather was killed in a horrific scalding accident in a hotel bath during a trip with his wife.
Wallace Hunter, 75, died from catastrophic injuries he suffered while staying at the Pitlochry Hydro Hotel in Perthshire.
The retired precision engineer was left trapped in the bath with piping hot water pouring onto him.
He was unable to get out of the bath and efforts to try to save him were hampered by the bathroom door, which opened outward and was bolted from the inside.
It is not known exactly how the water came to pour onto Mr Hunter or the exact sequence of events after he locked himself in the bathroom.
The details of the accident will be covered by a fatal accident inquiry, Scotland’s Crown Office announced as it fixed a first hearing for September 1 at Alloa Sheriff Court.
Particular focus will be given to how the hot water was discharged and the hotel’s health and safety arrangements, as well as its response to the emergency.
The incident took place on December 1, 2019, while Mr Hunter and his wife were enjoying a weekend away.
Wallace Hunter, 75, died after being left trapped in the bath with piping hot water pouring onto him. He had been on a weekend getaway with his wife at Pitlochry Hydro Hotel in Perthshire
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations, said: ‘The death of Wallace Hunter occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry will be held.
‘The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.
‘Wallace Hunter’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.’
The FAI will be used to establish facts and not to apportion blame.
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Father-of-two Mr Hunter had worked as a precision engineer and studied at Stow College in Glasgow.
He and his wife Janice had gone to the £160-a-night hotel for a short break. The accident occurred just before the couple were due to return home to Eaglesham, Renfrewshire.
Mr Hunter went to take a bath before they left for home and locked the door behind him.
It proved impossible to open the door again once the incident had occurred. It is understood there were no maintenance personnel on site at the time.
The Fatal Accident Inquiry at Alloa Sheriff Court will investigate the cause and circumstances of the grandfather’s death. The hotel’s health and safety arrangements will form part of the investigation
Yesterday, Mrs Hunter declined to comment on the inquiry.
The three-star Pitlochry Hydro Hotel is located within a Victorian building which dates back more than 130 years. It boasts 73 bedrooms and spa facilities.
The hotel is popular with tourists due to its proximity to Blair Atholl Distillery and the heart of Pitlochry.
The premises is also used as a wedding venue.
In May 2020, the hotel was forced to close its doors after its owner, Specialist Leisure Group, went bust.
SLG, which was running the hotel at the time of Mr Hunter’s death, also owned several travel brands including Caledonian Travels, Bay Hotels and Shearings Holidays.
The group ceased trading with immediate effect on May 22, 2020.
The hotel briefly reopened with new owners Bespoke Hotelsin August that year but closed again due to the lockdown.
In April 2021, it reopened in its current form as part of the Coast and Country Hotel Collective. The group owns 39 hotels across the UK.
