MARRIED COUPLE DIES FROM CARBON MONOXIDE IN FESTIVAL CAMPERVAN

Christopher Coll, 45, and Kayleigh Coll, 38, died from carbon monoxide poisoning on 12 October last year whilst attending a cider craft festival in the New Forest, Hampshire, an inquest has concluded. The couple, of Blandford Forum, Dorset, had travelled to the festival as exhibitors to sell crafts and were staying in their campervan in a field designated for exhibitors. Their separate inquests were held at Winchester Coroner's Court on 22 July. Fellow exhibitor Alexander Huxley discovered them after noticing they had not appeared at their stall by approximately 11:30am on the morning of 13 October. When he opened the campervan door, he was met with a strong smell of gas and found the couple unresponsive in the back of the van.

Investigation of the gas heater and cylinder revealed it had been used with 10 per cent of gas remaining in the cylinder. The heater was not securely fitted to the gas bottle, and a gas leak was identified. Hampshire area coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp stated: "We'll never know how the connection became disconnected." Howard Jonas, representing Flogas—the company that carried out the inspection—told the inquest that parabolic heaters should only be used outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces. The coroner concluded the couple had suffered carbon monoxide poisoning from running a camper gas cylinder with a heater not designed for indoor use.

The coroner determined the deaths were misadventure rather than accident, as using the heating was a deliberate act with a "totally unintended consequence". Ms Rhodes-Kemp raised concerns about whether adequate safety warnings are present on heaters to indicate they cannot be used in enclosed spaces. The coroner stated she would contact manufacturers regarding safety labelling requirements.