SUFFOCATED IN SLEEP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20959, 24 August 1931, Page 8

SUFFOCATED IN SLEEP.

DEATH IN CITY FLAT.

FATE OF MARRIED MAN,

WIFE'S TRAGIC DISCOVERY. To bo suffocated in his sleep when his bedroom slowly filled with gas was the fate which overtook a draper's assistant, Mr. Harold Clement Poole, aged 39, who was found dead by his wife yesterday morning in .their city flat. The circumstances are particularly distressing. Mr. Poole, who w?>s suffering from a cold, was sleeping by himself, his wife and daughter occupying another room. A gas heater was installed in Mr. Poole's bedroom and on Saturday he had evidently intended to light it before going to bed. It is surmised that he turned the tap, but found that the gas had run out, the supply operating through a coin-in-the-slofc meter-. It would then be about 11.30. Mr. Poole then went to prepare supper for his family before all retired and it is believed that he forgot to turn off the tap on the bedroom heater. Restoring the gas supply by means of a coin, Mr. Poole apparently completed the supper arrangements and went to bed. All this time gas would be escaping from the heater, but unnoticed by Mr. Poole probably on account of his indisposition. He had closed the bedroom door, as was his custom.

Mr. Poole was to have had breakfast ready for the others at 8.30 yesterday morning, but ho had not been heard about the apartment at nine. Mrs. Poole then went to her husband's room to investigate. She found him in bed in an attitude of apparent deep sleep. Aware of a strong smell of gas and failing to rouse him, she became alarmed and called assistance from adjoining flats. Mr. Poole was carried to another room, where artificial respiration was tried, but without effect. Dr. A. H. Kirker, who had been summoned, could only pronounce life extinct. He expressed tbe opinion that death had occurred about two hours earlier.

A sad aspect is that Mr. Poole, who had been unemployed for two months, was to have commenced work this morning in a city store. He had gained no small success as a writer of short stories and articles and had recently 6ent the manuscript of. a novel to a London publishing house and expected to hear in a few days of its reception. An inquest will be opened this afternoon.