A COUPLE were found dead at a cider festival after a camping gas heater was turned on inside their campervan overnight, an inquest heard.
Kayleigh Coll, 38, and husband Christopher, 45, who had four children, were discovered at the New Forest Cider Festival on October 12.
Kayleigh and Christopher were discovered dead in their campervan Credit: Facebook
The couple had left a camping heater on all night Credit: Solent
The couple had been visiting the New Forest Cider Festival where they were planning to sell model trees Christopher made out of copper.
But they were found dead the day after arriving after spending the night in their white campervan.
Fellow exhibitor Alex Huxley has become concerned when he saw Kayleigh and Christopher had not set up their stall.
Winchester Coroners’ Court heard he knocked on the window of the campervan but received no answer.
When he tried again at around 12pm, there was still no reply, so he opened the side door of the van.
In a statement, he said: “I was hit by a wall of gas. I saw a heater and could hear the gas hissing. I saw Chris’ right leg in the back of the van.
“I turned round in shock and went to alert someone.”
Paramedics were called, but the couple – who were from Blandford Forum, Dorset – were pronounced dead at the scene.
The tragic couple had four children Credit: Solent
They had only arrived at the festival the day before they died Credit: Facebook
ruled out suicide or foul play, while a post-mortem report found the pair had fatal levels of carbon monoxide in their system.
A further series of tests found that the carbon monoxide leak had not come from the campervan, which had recently been converted from petrol to LPG, but from a heater.
The £30 parabolic heater, which was placed between the campervan’s front seats, had become slightly disconnected from the gas cylinder.
Tests found the refillable cylinder – distributed in the UK by Flogas – was about 10 per cent full.
Howard Jonas, head of health, safety, security and environment at Flogas, said he believed the heater would have been left on, but not ignited.
He told the inquest: “These heaters are meant to be used outside, rather than in a confined space.”
The couple’s campervan had its windows and doors closed when they were found, the court heard.
Mr Jonas, whose company was not responsible for the heaters, said he didn’t know whether their manufacturers had made it clear the equipment should not have been used in a confined space.
He said: “It may have been in the instructions, but a lot of people might not read the instructions, or they may have got it second hand and didn’t get the instructions.
“It is not always clear that these heaters should not be used in an enclosed space.”
Coroner Rosamund Rhodes-Kemp said she believed the heater’s safety instructions should have been made clear.
She added: “I will be contacting the manufacturer of the heater to see if they can put the safety advice on the heater itself.
“That could prevent future deaths.”
Ms Rhodes-Kemp recorded a verdict of death by misadventure, with the cause of the couple’s death being carbon monoxide toxicity.
She said: “This is a terrible tragedy. I am very, very, sorry for this sudden loss.”
Tributes flooded in for Kayleigh and Christopher following the horror.
Their loved ones said: “Chris and Kayleigh were much loved by everyone who knew them – vibrant, kind and devoted to their family.
“Their loss has left an immeasurable void in the lives of all who loved them.”
A GoFundMe launched to help the couple’s four children said Kayleigh and Christopher were “soulmates”.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
