Campsite tragedy blamed on disposable barbecue

Paramedics fought to save the teenager, thought to have been aged about 14, while her brother and parents were taken to hospital also believed to be suffering the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Relatives raised the alarm after finding them unconscious in their tent and police were called to the site in Bucknell, South Shropshire, by the ambulance service at around 10am.

The incident happened at a campsite set in a field next to the Baron at Bucknell pub.

Owners of both, Phil and Debra Wright, said the family was part of a larger group made up of the mother’s two sisters and their respective partners and children, staying in a number of tents.

Mr Wright said the group had become concerned when nobody in the family’s tent awoke yesterday morning.

“They had gone into the tent and found them all unconscious. One of the sisters came and said, ‘we need an ambulance urgently’.

“There was a disposable barbecue which they had used the night before in the porch of the tent.

“The emergency services were on the scene within five minutes. They worked on the girl for some time but they couldn’t save her.

“It has been devastating. It is really tragic. Nobody has done anything wrong, they have just not realised the dangers of disposable barbecues.

“You don’t realise that they are giving off fumes for hours and hours after you have used them.”

Mr Wright said the family had arrived at the site only on Saturday and were planning to stay for the Bank Holiday weekend.

Relatives of the girl, who has not been named, said they had been “devastated” by the tragedy.

In a brief statement released by the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on their behalf, the extended family said: “Our priority as a family is to ensure that the three people in hospital get well and are fully recovered.

“We are devastated by this tragic accident and will release a full statement at a later date.

“We would ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

Last night a hospital spokeswoman said the three patients transferred to the hospital from the campsite were all in a stable condition.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said a man and woman and a young boy, believed to be aged 11, were taken from the scene to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

A spokeswoman said: “Crews arrived at the campsite to find CPR being carried out on a girl who was in cardiac arrest.

“Ambulance crews continued resuscitation efforts in an attempt to restart the girl’s heart. Sadly, despite their best efforts nothing could be done to save the girl.”