Walsall carbon monoxide death: Inquest opens for Staffordshire workman, 50, who died in Bloxwich shop
Health and Safety Executive and council probes are continuing following a fatal carbon monoxide incident that left a 50-year-old workman dead.
A 50-year-old workman refurbishing a shop near Walsall died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a petrol power generator.
The deceased man Donovan Green was working at the Timmys restaurant premises, in Cresswell Crescent, in Mossley, Bloxwich, on September 26 last year when he became unwell resulting in a major investigation.
Nine other people including emergency workers who arrived at the scene at about 9.40pm suffered the effects of the fumes and survived.
At the inquest opening on Wednesday the Black Country Coroners’ Court, in Oldbury, heard that Mr Green, of Stoke-on-Trent, went into cardiac arrest after a petrol generator emitted levels of carbon monoxide.
Senior Black Country Coroner Mr Zafar Siddique said: “On September 26 last year police officers were called to the location of a cardiac arrest.
“He was in an enclosed space refurbishing a shop. A petrol generator supplying power caused carbon levels to blow out. Mr Green went into cardiac arrest.
“After 40 minutes the fire brigade was able to safely ventilate the shop.”
He said a the post mortem report gave the medical cause of death as carbon monoxide toxicity.
“There are ongoing Health and Safety Executive and Walsall Council investigations which will require a pre-inquest review,” Mr Siddique added.
At the time police, fire and ambulance crews went to the street off Sneyd Lane following reports that people were concerned for the welfare of a man. Two ambulances, two paramedic officers, the Hazardous Area Response Team and the Midlands Air Ambulance critical care car attended.
When they arrived they found a man in a critical condition, but despite their efforts he was confirmed dead at the scene.
West Midlands Ambulance Service said that nine people were treated for issues relating to carbon monoxide poisoning, including four men who were taken to Walsall Manor Hospital for a precautionary check up.
The review hearing will be held on May 14 at 10.30am when Mr Green’s family, the company involved in the refurbishment and HSE representatives are expected to be in attendance.