A CO Derry holiday apartment complex has been evacuated and is undergoing a full safety survey following the deaths of two teenagers from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.
Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson, both 18 and from Newtownabbey in Co Antrim, were found dead yesterday at an address at Tunnel Brae Court which overlooks the Atlantic from a hillside in the holiday village of Castlerock.
A third teenager, named as Matthew Gaw, who was with them, was last night recovering in the Causeway hospital in Coleraine, a short distance away.
The three were taking a seaside break while awaiting their A-level results which are due later this month. The apartment is understood to be owned by a relative of one of the three.
Officers from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are checking the accommodation, which was cordoned off last night by the PSNI.
A relative of one of the boys apparently raised the alarm after attempts to contact them by mobile phone failed. It is thought contact with the boys was made, but the caller – one of the teenagers’ relatives – identified something was wrong.
A relative then travelled to Castlerock to investigate and forced entry to the apartment via a side window after there was no response at the front door.
The three teenagers were found unconscious inside.
It was reported last night that Mr Gaw was taken from the ground-floor apartment via patio doors and brought to hospital for treatment. He is now expected to make a full recovery.
The apartment block is a modern complex of just 14 units. It was cleared while safety engineers checked gas appliances in an attempt to confirm the cause of the poisoning. Postmortem examinations are being carried out and the results are due to be released later.
John McPoland from the ambulance service said: “All the signs and symptoms were that it was carbon monoxide poisoning. When the fire service arrived, they used some of their equipment and they confirmed to the paramedics that there were high levels of carbon monoxide in the room.”
Paula Bradley, the Mayor of Newtownabbey, told BBC Northern Ireland she was “devastated” to hear of the teenagers’ deaths.
“As a mother of an 18-year-old son, it is all the more hard-hitting. This is a tragic accident and I would like to extend my sympathy to all the families involved and I pray that the third teenager, currently in hospital in Coleraine, makes a full recovery.”
Local political representatives from Alliance, Sinn Féin, the Ulster Unionists and the SDLP conveyed their sympathies to the bereaved. DUP Stormont Minister Arlene Foster emphasised the need for gas and other domestic fuels to be used safely.
Former teachers of the boys in Newtownabbey said they were dedicated students with a strong social conscience who were looking forward to the next stage in their education.
Lex Hayes, headmaster of Glengormley High School, said: “The two boys were both great pupils and were very popular among fellow pupils and staff.”
‘Silent Killer’ :Playing Safe With Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide is formed when organic compounds burn and it is highly dangerous. It is described in safety advertisements as the “silent killer” because it makes no noise and leaves no smell.
Common sources of carbon monoxide include non-electric household heaters, smoke from open fires and vehicle exhausts.
Symptoms include headache, dizziness and nausea and can lead to physical flu-like symptoms such as chest pain and fatigue, as well as issues such as confusion and depression.
Exposure to sufficient amounts of carbon monoxide even over a few hours, can lead to death.
Bord Gáis and the Health Service Executive advise people to always get professionals to install and service appliances annually.
Other safety measures include:
- Ensuring rooms containing heating appliances are properly ventilated, and never block vents
- Making sure all chimneys are regularly swept and kept clear
- Using appliances only for the purpose for which they were designed, for example do not use a cooker to heat a room
- Never using faulty appliances
- If creating a new living space, ensure it has ventilation in accordance with building regulations
- If adding extra radiators, ensure that your boiler can cope with the additional capacity
- If altering or adding appliances to a natural gas or LPG installation, ensure that work is carried out to IS 813:2002 Domestic Gas Installations
- Use carbon monoxide alarms and check they comply with the EN 50291 standard. TIM O'BRIEN