GAS-POISONING CASE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19471, 29 October 1926, Page 14

GAS-POISONING CASE

ACCIDENTAL OCCURRENCE

EVIDENCE AT THE INQUEST,

A married man, Mr. Alfred John Bfockett, aged 68, who resides at the house of Mrs. C. Gillanders, Calliope Road, Devonport, was found in an unconscious condition in bed on Wednesday morning, and died in the evening. When entered, the room was full of gas and tho window was closed.

At an inquest held yesterday before "Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., coroner, Mrs. Gillanders said deceased had stayed with her for the past 18 months. Ho had always had a bright and cheery disposition and enjoyed good health. On Wednesday morning she knocked at the door of his room, but received .no answer. On entering, slio found the room full of gas, the gas-burner turned on and tho window shut. Deceased was looking very ill. so she sent for tho doctor. Brockett had both gas and a candle in his room. It was his custom to use the candle for light unless ho were going to read. He was very absent-minded and had no sense of smell whatever. In her opinion, he had turned on the gas, struck a match and lighted the candle and then gone to "bed. The window was always kept shut. Dr. L. K. Hagen said he found deceased suffering from all the symptoms oi gas-poisoning. He applied the proper remedies, but death occurred at 10 o'clock at night. Henry Beer said he went to the pictures with deceased on Tuesday evening. He was in his usual health and good spirits. A verdict was returned that death was due to carbon monoxide poisoning caused accidentally.