THREE deer hunters died in a caravan filled with deadly carbon monoxide
fumes in Tasmania's Central Highlands.
And Coroner Glenn Hay has revealed that one of the victims had probably
attempted to drag his unconscious mates to safety before being overcome
himself.
Rodney Williams, 53, son Matthew, 26, and Terry Bartle, 39, all from
Tasmania, died at Top Marshes near Miena in March last year.
The tragedy was blamed on a faulty gas fitting attached to a refrigerator
that should not have been used inside the caravan, which had been
renovated by Mr Bartle.
It was the final tragic chapter in a hunting trip which had not gone well for the
three victims.
They failed to see any deer and the pilot light on one refrigerator began
playing up. Their generator broke down and a portable gas hot water heater
in the rear of their utility had caught fire.
"Three families and our community have tragically been robbed of loving
and vibrant men, so greatly missed by their families and friends," Mr Hay
said after finding that the victims had died accidentally from carbon
monoxide poisoning while sleeping in a caravan with a gas-operated
refrigerator inside.
He said it was impossible to give "final and unequivocal answers" to many
questions arising from the deaths.
"It is plausible that Mr R Williams left the caravan at around 5am,
possibly to relieve himself, when he was in a carbon monoxide intoxicated
state," he said in his written findings.
"That when he re-entered the caravan, closing the door behind him, he
realised something was wrong and attempted to drag his son and Mr Bartle
from the bunks in which they were sleeping in an attempt to wake them or
drag them from their sleeping bags or from the caravan.
"But he in turn was completely overcome by the carbon monoxide before he
could complete this task. The positioning of each of the deceased upon
finding suggests this was the case."
Mr Hay recommended mandatory carbon monoxide
detection alarms in caravans where gas appliances were either fixed or
where they might be used.
He also suggested consideration be given to empowering regular inspections
of caravan gas installations and appliances, and maintenance including
appropriate ventilation.
"During the course of my investigations it became clear that incidents
involving significant carbon monoxide poisoning or subsequent death
arising therefrom are not uncommon in Australia and elsewhere in the
world," he said.
"This tragedy gives rise to a timely reminder to all do-it-yourself
builders or renovators (not limited to caravans) to properly follow all
legislative requirements including necessary safety standards and
guidelines.
"To do so will limit as much as possible dangers to those persons or
others who may come into contact with the items being built or renovated."
