Southend-on-Sea in Essex is home to the unsettling tale of the Ratman, an urban legend that has circulated for decades. Although the specifics may vary, many agree that the origins of the story center around the town’s underpasses, where locals claim to have encountered a grotesque creature said to be part man and part rat. The legend has grown over time, evolving from whispered warnings to modern retellings that blend supernatural elements and local folklore.

Descriptions of the Ratman range from a spectral figure with long claws and yellow teeth to a living mutant born from scandal. Despite numerous claims and anecdotal accounts, there is little concrete evidence supporting these stories, leaving most to wonder if Ratman is just another example of a classic urban legend shaped by local fears and imagination.

Key Takeaways

The Ratman legend has origins in Southend-on-Sea with multiple versions of the story.
Descriptions and alleged encounters add to the creature’s mystique and local fear.
Lack of concrete evidence suggests it remains an urban legend shaped by retellings.

Tracing the Ratman’s Beginnings

The Story of Southend’s Tunnel and Dee Gordon’s Version

In 2012, Dee Gordon described a story from Southend-on-Sea about a strange entity said to haunt a local underpass. The most familiar version tells of an elderly homeless man who sought shelter in the tunnel. One winter night, he was attacked by a group of youths and left helpless in the cold.

As he lay injured, rats overwhelmed him, and he died from cold and injuries. Over time, rumors arose that his spirit transformed into a creature resembling a human-sized rat, described as hunched, with long nails and yellow teeth. Residents claim to hear eerie squeals and scratching sounds in the tunnel after dark.

Accounts from witnesses, like Bradley Vaughn and forum users, include reports of unsettling screams, scratching on stone, and the sound of claws dragging along the walls. These reports span from the early 2000s and consistently contribute to the mystery surrounding the Southend underpass.

Shifting Tales and the Nature of Urban Myths

The Ratman story has several variations, with youth in Southend schools sharing alternate versions. One teller claimed the creature was the disfigured child of a past mayor, hidden away in the sewers where he grew into a half-human, half-rat being. In this version, the Ratman is no ghost, but a living mutant fond of human flesh, with features like a long snout and a rat’s tail.

The evolution of the legend follows a typical pattern: stories passed from person to person change in each re-telling. Details often shift from a spectral figure to a dangerous physical monster, fueled by rumors and the uncanny atmosphere of the tunnel. The lack of concrete dates or verified sightings is a hallmark of urban legends, which often begin with a simple event such as someone spotting a large rat, before expanding into supernatural territory through years of repetition and embellishment.

Main Features of the Legend

Variant Description Reported Traits Ghostly Origin Spirit of an elderly homeless man, killed and eaten by rats, haunts the underpass Hunched, claws, yellow teeth Mutant Child Origin Deformed child of a mayor, abandoned/locked in the sewers, becomes monstrous and predatory Elongated snout, rat tail

Tales of the Southend Ratman: Myths and Modern Sightings

The Underpass Outcast's Curse

Stories frequently reference an elderly vagrant who sought shelter in a Southend underpass. According to local retellings, he struggled with even simple movement and endured harsh winters alone.

One night, a confrontation with a group of teenagers turned violent. They assaulted him and stole his only blanket, leaving him helpless. As he lay severely injured, a swarm of hungry rats finished what they started, leaving his body ravaged by the time morning arrived. Locals claim the man’s spirit lingers, twisted into a human-sized, rat-like figure, lurking in passageways with visible claws and yellowed teeth. Witness accounts include unnerving squeals and the scrape of claws in the darkness.

Reported Features:

Feature Description Nails/Claws Long, often scraping surfaces Posture Hunched, human-like rat Teeth Yellow, sharp Sound High-pitched squeals

Illegitimate Offspring in the Shadows

Another storyline, common in local schoolyards, reimagines the Ratman as a living being—the rumored child of a former city leader’s extramarital affair. This offspring, described as grotesque and rodent-like, was abandoned to survive in the underpasses and tunnels.

Variants of this story place the mutated child in secret chambers built beneath the city, locked away during the day, only to roam free at night. Descriptions focus on his elongated snout, worm-like tail, and a supposed craving for human flesh. This version is often conveyed as a cautionary tale for children who wander into the wrong places after dark.

Key Details Highlighted by Witnesses:

Elongated rat-like snout
Worm-shaped tail
Hiding in tunnels, emerging after dark

Shifting Narratives and Local Variations

Urban legends adapt with each retelling. Some suggest that the entire myth stems from an initial sighting of a large rat, its story inflated over time through rumor. The Ratman has transformed in local lore—sometimes appearing as a spectral being, other times as a mutated outcast.

A few have reported unexplained noises, like odd screams or scratching, in local forums. Personal accounts describe moments of fear or sensing a presence in the tunnels, sometimes despite skepticism. Sightings are rare and specifics are lacking, but the chilling reputation of Southend’s underpasses persists.

Common Story Patterns:

Accounts shared through peer groups
Often used as warnings
Details grow more bizarre with each new version

Bodily Features and Sightings

How Witnesses Describe the Creature

Descriptions of the so-called Ratman focus on unsettling, hybrid features. Reports often mention a hunched figure, walking upright yet possessing animal-like traits such as an elongated snout, a worm-like tail, and a mouth full of yellow, sharp teeth. Notably, its hands are often depicted with long, claw-like nails or talons, contributing to its monstrous silhouette.

Some stories describe the creature as being roughly the size of a human, but its rat-like characteristics dominate its appearance. Its posture is typically stooped, and its movements in darkness seem both cautious and predatory. There is some disagreement about whether the Ratman is a physical being or a ghostly manifestation.

Accounts and Personal Experiences

Eyewitness claims, though not numerous, present similar themes. A man named Bradley Vaughn stated that his classmates once encountered a terrifying noise in the tunnel—an unnatural scream coupled with the scraping of nails against the wall, prompting them to flee in fear.

Other reports posted to online forums include recollections of scratching sounds echoing through the underpass, as though something with claws was moving along the tunnel walls. In 2004, a woman recounted an unnerving experience while passing through the tunnel at night, describing guttural, animalistic noises and a chilling sense of being watched. She emphasized how the event shifted her skepticism into genuine fear.

Sounds, Smells, and Atmosphere

Witness accounts frequently mention the intense and unpleasant sensory elements of the tunnel. The air is usually dense with the odors of graffiti, old food, and decay, contributing to an overall feeling of discomfort. At night, the tunnel is described as overwhelmingly oppressive, with silence broken only by scratching sounds or strange, guttural noises reminiscent of both a rat and a human.

People speak of hearing squeals, snarls, and hissing noises that can't be easily attributed to regular urban animals. The sensation of being observed and the metallic scrape of claws on stone are recurrent details in these encounters, intensifying the feeling of danger and unease.

Doubt, Critical Thinking, And The Spread Of Urban Myths

Influence On Local Culture

Urban myths such as the Ratman of Southend-on-Sea demonstrate how stories can deeply shape a community's atmosphere. Details like eerie sounds, sinister figures, and dramatic events become part of daily conversation, especially among schoolchildren. Lists of playground tales often include the Ratman, and local books and forums regularly reference these accounts.

Key ways urban myths influence culture:

Spread quickly among peers and generations
Inspire creative storytelling and local folklore
Reinforce shared local identity

Absence Of Supporting Proof

A critical review of these tales highlights a shortage of hard evidence. Most versions of the Ratman legend lack names, dates, or independently verified reports. Sightings usually rely on personal testimonies or anonymous forum posts, which are difficult to confirm.

Evidence Type Frequency Physical Sightings Rare Named Eyewitnesses Few Official Records None

This pattern matches many urban tales, where firsthand proof is scarce and stories are re-told rather than documented.

Reasons Behind Ongoing Belief

Despite minimal proof, stories like the Ratman persist. This endurance often stems from the story's flexibility, being retold and reshaped by each narrator to fit different fears or settings. The legend acts as a warning about dangerous places and unknown dangers, often starting with a simple event—such as seeing a large rat—that evolves over time.

Common features that keep these myths alive:

They tap into widespread fears and anxieties
Regular retelling builds suspense and believability
Each storyteller personalizes and embellishes the tale for their audience

Without clear evidence, such legends offer a shared mystery, inviting debate, skepticism, and continued fascination among locals and newcomers alike.

Comparable Cryptid Accounts

The Athena, Oregon Turtle Sighting

In June 2000, a man named Kent Pickman reported a strange event near the town of Athena in Oregon. According to his account, he and a friend named Alex were heading back to Alex’s house late at night. As they approached a rural area, they noticed something unusual moving near the roadside.

The being they described stood upright, appeared humanoid, and had features resembling a turtle. Kent specifically recalled the creature’s thick, rough skin, a shell-like formation on its back, and a large, rounded head. He and Alex observed the creature for a few moments as it glanced at their headlights and then quickly retreated into the nearby brush.

Notable Details:

Location: Near Athena, Oregon
Timeframe: June 2000, late at night
Description: Human-sized, upright posture, turtle-like head and shell, thick skin

Both witnesses agreed that it was not an animal native to the area. The brief sighting left them startled and unsure of what they had encountered. Though there are no reports of harm, the memory of the incident has remained vivid for them.

Comparison Table:

Feature Athena Turtle Sighting Creature Type Turtle-like humanoid Time of Sighting Night Number of Witnesses Two Location Roadside near Athena, Oregon Details Upright, shell, thick skin, large head

Throughout various regions, these types of cryptid encounters are told with similar details: unexpected, brief sightings in isolated locations, often at night, and descriptions of hybrid or unusual beings not recognized by science.

Closing Thoughts and Individual Insights

Reflecting on the tales surrounding the Southend underpass, the legend of the so-called "rat man" is a curious blend of folklore and community memory. These accounts showcase striking details, from unsettling noises like screams or scratching, to vivid descriptions of a hunched figure with elongated teeth and claws.

Key Points Noted:

Eyewitnesses mention experiences such as hearing eerie sounds and feeling watched.
Descriptions consistently highlight physical features resembling both man and rat.
Many details vary by storyteller, showing how the legend evolves over time.

On a personal level, hearing and reading these stories firsthand prompted a reassessment of dismissals. What was once seen as mere playground fantasy acquired a different weight after a direct encounter with unexplained sounds and an overwhelming sense of fear in the underpass. The experience has made a lasting impression, leading to a much more cautious view of these dark, isolated spaces.

Element Witness Experience Common Descriptions Sounds Squeals, snarls, scratching Guttural, almost human noises Appearance Shadowy, hunched figure Claws, yellow teeth, rat tail Atmosphere Unnerving, oppressive Strong sense of being watched

While the rat man story often stretches credibility, reports and anecdotes reflect genuine emotions and caution from those who venture through the tunnels. For many locals, the tales serve as a reminder: the underpass is avoided at night, regardless of belief in the legend itself.

Personal Takeaways:

Urban myths grow and persist because they tap into common fears.
Experiences, even without physical evidence, can shape beliefs and behaviors.
Approaching these stories with open-minded skepticism is wise.

The Ratman of Southend: Essex's Terrifying Urban Legend & The Oregon Turtleman