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Member Since: 8/2006

Santa dies at children's party

News Type: Event — Seeded on Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:18 PM EST
Read ArticleArticle Source: Guardian Unlimited
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Seeded by djd
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Children watched in horror as a Santa Claus collapsed and died as he handed out presents at a Christmas party on Sunday.

Andrew Robertson was taken ill as the excited youngsters received their gifts. The 82-year-old was taken to a side room and attempts made to revive him, but he was pronounced dead when medics arrived.

Mr Robertson, from Dundee, had played Santa at the city's Broughty Castle bowling club Christmas party, held for the grandchildren of members, for several years.

"Andy was a father figure in the club who never had a bad word to say about anyone," Ian Smart, the bowling club's secretary, said. "If you asked him to do anything for you, he would always say 'no problem'.

"One wee kid said 'how are we going to get our presents next week if Father Christmas is ill?' - they didn't understand what had happened."

Mr Smart said Mr Robertson, who had played an active role in the club, was "well liked and will be sorely missed".

Mr Robertson's brother, Alister, said he had complained about feeling hot shortly before collapsing.

"The kids saw him getting taken away," he told the Courier newspaper. "They knew something was wrong with Santa Claus as he went away with the two guys, but they didn't see anything further.

"It has been quite a shock for everybody, but my view is that he was there thoroughly enjoying himself when he was struck down."

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{"commentId":442889,"authorDomain":"chill888"}
chill

Ouch

{"commentId":442889,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"chill888"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#1 - Fri Dec 22, 2006 4:50 PM EST
{"commentId":442931,"authorDomain":"titan124"}
Titan124

Father Christmas? WTF?

{"commentId":442931,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"titan124"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:15 PM EST
{"commentId":442952,"authorDomain":"thegat"}
The GAT

uh...they ARE in the UK.

{"commentId":442952,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"thegat"}
  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:26 PM EST
{"commentId":442992,"authorDomain":"djd"}
djd

Yes, Father Christmas is the British equivalent of Santa Claus. The Coca Cola bit in the page I just linked is an urban myth.

{"commentId":442992,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"djd"}
  • 3 votes
#2.2 - Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:52 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":443086,"authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
Viki Babbles Gonia

Oh, can you imagine! Thank Santa they didn't have to bring him out with a sheet pulled over his face. After reading the headline, I fully imagined that a bunch of kids were going to be scarred for life. At least it's still possible for their parents to think up some crazy fun lie.

{"commentId":443086,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"vikibabbles"}
  • 1 vote
Reply#3 - Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:24 PM EST
{"commentId":443444,"authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}
winsomecowboy

I wish I knew why this is funny. I could stop feeling guilty.

{"commentId":443444,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"winsomecowboy"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#4 - Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:44 AM EST
{"commentId":443562,"authorDomain":"stokesrb"}
stokesrb

Like it or not Mr. Robertson did what no other would do. He must have been thrilled in doing this task.
Let another take his place I think not- for they would rather be idle them to do it themselves. And if one
replaces him-they will feel the joy in giving as much as Mr. Robertson did. God bless his soul.

{"commentId":443562,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"stokesrb"}
    Reply#5 - Sat Dec 23, 2006 8:01 AM EST
    {"commentId":446913,"authorDomain":"stolte-sawa"}
    Ryan Stolte-Sawa

    God, this smacks of urban legend, doesn't it?

    {"commentId":446913,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"stolte-sawa"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#6 - Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:08 AM EST
    {"commentId":446926,"authorDomain":"Brad-Leclerc"}
    Brad Leclerc

    Harsh. Nothing like traumatizing a pile of children for no real reason......pretty crappy.

    {"commentId":446926,"threadId":"63096","contentId":"492790","authorDomain":"Brad-Leclerc"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#7 - Wed Dec 27, 2006 1:30 AM EST
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