The death of a teenager from carbon monoxide poisoning in an aristocrat’s Scottish holiday cottage more than six years ago is to be investigated in a fatal accident inquiry.
Thomas Hill (18 years old) was discovered unconscious in Glenmark Cottage near Tarfside in Angus in October 2015.
He was taken to Ninewells Hospital Dundee, where despite his efforts to save him, he died.
The first year student at Stirling University from Hampshire was on vacation in the cottage when he died.
An examination post mortem revealed that the teenager who co-owned an animal shelter and his girlfriend died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
The cottage was later discovered to have gas heaters failing, and it belonged to the Earl of Dalhousie as well as his heir Lord Ramsay.
Last year at Dundee Sheriff Court, Lord Ramsay’s Dalhousie-estate based company, Burghill Farms, and Piers Le Cheminant, who had sub-let the cottage, admitted exposing holidaymakers to the risk of death.
Both men admitted to failing to keep gas heaters in safe conditions between March 2008 – October 2015.
Burghill Farms was fined £120,000 and Le Cheminant, 76, was fined £2,000 at Dundee Sheriff Court.
A fatal accident inquiry, which is the equivalent to an inquest in England or Wales in Northern Ireland, will now take place at Forfar Sheriff Court.
Thomas Hill (pictured), 18, was found unconscious near Tarfside in Angus.
At the time of his October 2018 death, the university student was on vacation at the cottage with Charlotte Beard (pictured), and his family.
The Earl of Dalhousie (pictured) and Lord Ramsay, his heir, owned the cottage at that time. They are both part of the historical Ramsay clan with roots going back to 1140AD.
After ruling that the circumstances surrounding the death of the teenage victim gave rise to serious public concern, the Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain ordered an investigation.
It was discovered that heaters were used in too-small and poorly ventilated rooms during the criminal investigation.
The heater was producing excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, which led to cracks being discovered.
It was the property of Lord Ramsay and Earl Dalhousie, both of whom were part of the Ramsay family which dates back to 1140AD.
Le Cheminant, who was a retired teacher at a private school, used the cottage for many years before the tragedy.
Jerry, Jerry’s dad said after the hearing that Tom was a special teenager and that what ultimately killed him was actually a string of failures.
“I don’t believe anyone emerges from this process with much credit. Everybody tries and diverts the blame.
Charlotte, Charlotte’s girlfriend added, “I lost my love for my baby and the future that I planned with Tom.”
Sheriff Gillian Wade, Fining Burghill Farms & Le Cheminant said that the heater in the bathroom shouldn’t have been there.
After the last court hearing, Thomas’s girlfriend Charlotte said that she had lost her love, baby and all the plans for the future with Tom.
Thomas’s initial hearing will be held in March. The full investigation is expected to begin later in the year.
“People who used the cottage for seven-and-a-half years were at risk.”
Simon Ramsay, Burghill Farms’ partner said in a statement that he had previously expressed his condolences for Thomas Hill’s friends and family.
“Following discussions with the family, small groves of trees were planted close to the cottage. In response to family requests, donors have been made to the appropriate charities.”
Lord Ramsay, the son of James Ramsay, the 17th Earl de Dalhousie and the heir to Scottish landowners, is Lord Ramsay.
In March, a preliminary hearing will be held for the fatal accident inquiry. The full inquiry is anticipated to begin later in 2018.
What’s the definition of carbon monoxide poisoning, and what symptoms can it cause?
When carbon monoxide is inhaled at high levels, it can cause poisoning in the body.
It’s a naturally-occurring gas made of one carbon and one oxygen atoms. The human body can even produce it at extremely low levels.
But it can be produced at much greater levels through incomplete burning organic materials. This happens when there’s not enough oxygen in the area.
It could include badly ventilated boilers, or exhaust from cars.
An open fire, including a fireplace in confined spaces, that is poorly ventilated, or with blocked chimneys can create an additional risk.
When carbon monoxide levels are too high, it can cause poisoning in the body. Carbon monoxide poisoning can be reduced by having an alarm or carbon monoxide detector (pictured in the Library image), proper ventilation and maintenance of boilers and keeping vehicle exhaust clean and maintained.
High levels of carbon monoxide may prove fatal to humans. It binds with haemoglobin, which is found in blood cells. This prevents them from carrying oxygen to the vital organs.
The symptoms of carbon Monoxide poisoning can often be described as flu-like. They include headaches, dizziness (flu like), weakness, vomiting and chest pains.
Large exposures can cause seizures and even death.
Around 60 people die each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.
The risk of getting carbon monoxide poisoning is reduced through measures such as installing a carbon monoxide alarm, proper venting, and maintaining boilers.