Father warns of disposable BBQ risks after campsite gas tragedy

An inquest into the death of Nicholas Holmes heard that the 22-year-old had gone for a short break on his own to the Hollands Wood campsite at Brockenhurst in the New Forest, Hampshire, at the end of May. His friends alerted police after they had not heard from him for two days.

A police officer found his body on June 1 in a seated position in the front of his white Peugeot Partner van, his head resting on a pillow with his smartphone and headphones on the dashboard in front of him along with a bottle of lager and some Jehovah Witness leaflets.

Detective Sergeant Andy Hedley, of Hampshire Police, said that a used disposable BBQ was found in the rear of the closed van along with open packets of burgers and buns, of which two of each had been eaten.

He said: “The scene would suggest he had cooked an evening meal with two burgers and baps. It would then appear he closed the rear doors and allowed the BBQ to burn out. He then sat in the front of the van, taking a pillow with him. He was sat in a relaxed position.”

Pathologist Dr Norman Carr said that a post-mortem examination revealed that the cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Deputy Coroner for Southampton and the New Forest Gordon Denson said: “I am satisfied that Nicholas’ death was an unforeseen and tragic accident in that he was unaware of the dangers of a lighted BBQ in a confined space which produces a situation where carbon monoxide is present. I am aware there are warnings on packets but it is clear these were overlooked.”

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Holmes’ father Philip paid tribute to his son and appealed to people to take heed of the coroner’s words.

The 52-year-old, from Harrogate said: “He was a sensitive, bright, intelligent young man who we are going to miss very much.

“He died as a result of a tragic accident. It seems the public are all too unaware of the dangers of these disposable BBQs.

“They spew out carbon monoxide for 12 hours after they have been used and there have been numerous cases of people losing their lives or nearly losing their lives. It seems to me the public needs to be more aware and there are awareness campaigns going on which we support to prevent more needless loss of life.”

His son, who lived in Waterlooville, Hampshire, had just started his own window-cleaning round.