Coroner's report shows girl, 14, was killed by CO gas

ALTAIR Carbon Monoxide (CO)
30/60 ppm Gas Detector
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A 14-year-old girl who died on a family camping trip was killed by deadly carbon monoxide gas, a coroner's report has shown.

A 14-year-old girl from Handforth, near Wilmslow, who died on a family camping trip was killed by carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, a coroner's report has shown.

Hannah Thomas-Jones was the victim of a fatal accident which also left her mother, stepfather and one other family member needing hospital treatment, Shropshire Coroner's Court heard.

The incident occurred in May 2012 when a bucket-type barbeque was moved into the porch of the tent the family was sharing.

Although the barbeque had burned down to embers, it produced enough harmful CO gas to kill the teenager and force her relatives to require medical attention.

Coroner John Ellery told the victim's family that it is clear that they are among a high number of people who were unaware of the potentially-fatal affects of CO poisoning.

He added his hope that the incident would serve to spread awareness of the dangers surrounding the gas and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in future.

Gas detection equipment can often spot CO in the home or workplace and is the best way to guard against poisoning.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, the gas is colourless and odourless, which makes it extremely difficult to spot.

It is often released as a by-product when carbon-based fuels are burned inefficiently and prevents blood from bringing oxygen to cells, tissues and organs when inhaled in large amounts.

Posted by Dawn Mitchell