West Wirral family and paramedics overcome by toxic gas fumes

Sue McCann, Birkenhead News

PARAMEDICS rescuing a couple who had been overcome by carbon monoxide gas were themselves hit by the toxic fumes.

Two of the couple’s relatives were also treated at hospital following the incident at the West Wirral home.

Now the family - and their rescuers - are calling on householders to install carbon monoxide alarms in their homes and to have gas and other fossil fuel-burning appliances tested before winter sets in.

Irene Bishton had been feeling unwell for several days and had arranged for her sister, Sheila Ross, to take her to the doctor.
Her husband, Stan Bishton, said: “Irene felt odd when she got up. She was unsteady on her feet, started to stagger and then collapsed. “Fortunately, she had unlocked the front door in readiness for her sister’s arrival before collapsing. “I was still in bed and thought I was all right but when I tried to dial 999 I couldn’t do it. I had been overcome by fumes without realising it.”

Sheila called the ambulance and also phoned for her husband Brian to come and help.
Stan continued: “They initially thought Irene had suffered a stroke and took her to Arrowe Park Hospital.

“But when some of the paramedics began to feel ill, they realised there was a strong possibility of carbon monoxide in the house.”

All four members of the family along with six ambulance crew were treated in hospital.
Brandon Newman, one of the first ambulance paramedics on the scene, said: “We assessed the condition of Mr and Mrs Bishton but quickly realised something was not right when we began to feel ill ourselves.

“I had a gut feeling it could be carbon monoxide poisoning, so we opened all the windows and doors to ventilate the house and called for a second ambulance.
“This was potentially a very serious situation that could have caused the loss of the whole family.”

Paul Ferguson, area director for the North West Ambulance Service, added: “I am proud of the way our operational staff dealt with this incident. Their actions may well have saved the lives of those involved.”

The build-up of carbon monoxide was caused by a blocked flu from the gas central heating boiler.
Stan said: “I hadn’t had the boiler serviced for two years and it didn’t occur to me there might have been a problem.

“Now we’re having the entire system replaced and we’ve bought audible CO alarms. In fact, everyone we’ve told about this has gone out and bought an alarm.
“It has been a very frightening experience.”

http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-news/local-wirral-news/2008/10/15/west-wirral-family-and-paramedics-overcome-by-toxic-gas-fumes-80491-22029684/