Investigation and inquest
On 11th November 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Thomas Oliver HILL aged 18. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 2nd June 2025.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased died on 28th October 2015 in the rear of an ambulance on a road between Brechin and Dundee, Scotland. The deceased inhaled a fatal quantity of carbon monoxide whilst in the bathroom of ████████, Glenesk, Angus, Scotland whilst preparing for a bath. The carbon monoxide had been expelled from a lit liquified petroleum gas cylinder heater. The bathroom was of insufficient size for the flue-less liquified petroleum gas cabinet heater to be safely used without causing a build-up of carbon monoxide. The liquified petroleum gas cabinet heater burner plaques were cracked which contributed to the death by exacerbating the build-up of carbon monoxide.
Coroner’s concerns
The flue-less liquified petroleum gas cabinet heater was operated in a room which was too small dimension so to safely use the heater without causing a build-up of carbon monoxide. A warning label was affixed inside the cabinet heater in the space occupied by the liquified petroleum gas bottle.
There was an absence of a visible warning label on the outside of the heater.
It was not obvious to all potential users of the heater that the heater could only be used safely in a room of sufficient dimension.
The risk applies particularly so in the case of rented cottages and similar premises such as ████████