Victim of ‘silent killer’

CARBON monoxide poisoning contributed to the death of a Shaw grandad, an inquest heard.

Harold Scholes (79), of Smallbrook Road, died on September 12, 2012, following difficulties in breathing.

The retired coachtrimmer, who had worked for Vauxhall and Rolls Royce, had enjoyed a day out in Dewsbury with his wife Joan but fell ill later that afternoon and died.

The couple had used their coal burning fire for the first time the day before, having had the chimney replaced over the summer.

When Mrs Scholes returned home with family members after her husband’s death, she noticed a haze and smell of smoke.

Their grandson, Matthew, fetched a carbon monoxide alarm and it immediately sounded.

The inquest was told that the chimney had not being swept for a long time. There was a large build-up of condensed soot, according to a chimney sweep who visited on September 13.

The court heard that work to fit the new chimney had been done in good faith by a property repairer who did two smoke tests.

Pathologist Dr A Oyegade, said the post-mortem examination revealed 80 per cent restriction in bloody supply to the heart along with other coronary problems.

A fibre count of lung tissues revealed no evidence in support of asbestosis, which had been suspected due to Mr Scholes’s line of work.

A toxicology report revealed that Mr Scholes’ blood contained carbon monoxide, to which people with coronary problems are highly susceptible, whatever the level.

Coroner Michael Salt, who offered a verdict of accidental death, concluded: “It seems to me that the chimney may not have been swept for a time and that caused the fire to be Inadequately ventilated, so there was carbon monoxide inside the property.

“He also had other difficulties not apparent at the time, with his heart, particularly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which made him vulnerable to carbon monoxide.”

Mr Scholes, was a keen gardener who kept birds at home and enjoyed brewing wine. He had also done national service with the RAF.