OAP dies in row with neighbour over loud music
Man, 32, charged after tragedy at flats
A PENSIONER has died following a row after he asked a neighbour to turn down his music.
The unnamed victim, 73, was taken to hospital in Oban for treatment to serious injuries but could not be saved.
A man has been charged in connection with the death at Columba Court in the Argyll holiday town.
The area remained behind a cordon yesterday and forensics teams were spotted entering the building at 3.15pm.
Police were called to the flats in the Dunollie neighbourhood at 9.40am on Monday, where a 32year-old was arrested.
Although officers are still piecing together the events that led to the tragedy, they are treating the death as suspicious.
It is believed there was a row between neighbours after the older man asked someone to turn music down.
A police spokesman said: ‘Around 9.40am on Monday, police were called to a report of an elderly man being seriously injured during an altercation with another man in Columba Court.
‘Emergency services attended and the victim was taken by ambulance to Lorn and Islands Hospital where he died. Officers are treating his death as suspicious.
‘The victim is still to be formally identified and a post-mortem examination will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death.
‘A 32-year-old man was arrested at the scene.’
The spokesman added that inquiries were continuing last night and appealed for the public’s help. He said: ‘Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact Oban CID via 101.’
Neighbours were left shocked yesterday by the incident. One local, who did not wish to be named said: ‘Only this weekend I was telling my husband that we are lucky that nothing too bad happens around here.
‘And then I wake up to find this happened. It’s devastating.’
Residents allowed past the cordon to get to their homes were seen carrying bouquets as they returned from work.
Councillor Julie McKenzie, of the Oban North and Lorn ward, said: ‘My sincerest condolences to the deceased gentleman’s loved ones
‘This incident is shocking’
at this difficult time. This incident is shocking for the community of Oban.
‘Dunollie is a quiet residential area of our town where my constituents care and look out for one another.’
The flats in Columba Court are owned by the West Highland Housing Association.
The association’s chief executive Lesley McInnes said: ‘Obviously we are sad to hear that this has happened in one of our properties.
‘We don’t have any further information at the moment.’