Thomas Hill carbon monoxide death: Fatal accident probe is launched into 2015 death of student

Publish date: 2024-05-27

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, was found unconscious at Glenmark Cottage, near Tarfside, in Angus, in October 2015. 

Despite attempts to save the teenager, he was pronounced dead in an ambulance en route to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee.

At the time of his death the first-year Stirling University student, from Hampshire, had been on holiday at the remote cottage with his partner Charlotte Beard and her family.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that the teenager, who ran an animal shelter with his girlfriend, died of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

Faulty gas heaters were later found at the cottage, which at the time was owned by the Earl of Dalhousie and 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.

They both admitted that between March 2008 and October 2015 they failed to ensure gas cabinet heaters were maintained in a safe condition to prevent the risk of injury to holiday residents.

Burghill Farms was fined £120,000 and Le Cheminant, 76, was fined £2,000 at Dundee Sheriff Court.

Now a fatal accident inquiry - the equivalent of an inquest in England, Wales and Northern Ireland - will take place at Forfar Sheriff Court. 

Thomas Hill (pictured) , 18, was found unconscious at Glenmark Cottage, near Tarfside, in Angus, where faulty gas heaters were found

Thomas Hill (pictured) , 18, was found unconscious at Glenmark Cottage, near Tarfside, in Angus, where faulty gas heaters were found

The university student had been on holiday at the remote cottage (pictured) with his partner Charlotte Beard and her family at the time of his death in October 2018

The university student had been on holiday at the remote cottage (pictured) with his partner Charlotte Beard and her family at the time of his death in October 2018

The cottage was owned at the time by the Earl of Dalhousie and his heir Lord Ramsay (pictured), who are part of the historic Ramsay clan which has roots as far back as 1140AD

The cottage was owned at the time by the Earl of Dalhousie and his heir Lord Ramsay (pictured), who are part of the historic Ramsay clan which has roots as far back as 1140AD

The Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain has ordered the probe after ruling the circumstances of the teenager's death gave rise to 'serious public concern' and an inquiry was in the 'public interest'.

During the criminal prosecution, it emerged heaters were being used in rooms which were too small and not ventilated enough.

An investigation found there had been cracks in the heater and it was found to be producing carbon monoxide wildly in excess of safe levels.

The cottage was owned at the time by the Earl of Dalhousie and his heir Lord Ramsay, who are part of the historic Ramsay clan which has roots as far back as 1140AD.

RELATED ARTICLES

Share this article

Share

Retired private school teacher Le Cheminant, a longstanding user of the cottage since 2008, had sub-let the property during the tragic break.

Speaking after the court case, the teenager's father Jerry said: 'Tom was a really special young man and it seems to us what killed him was a series of failures really.

'I don't think anyone comes out of this process with great credit. It just seems that everyone tries to divert the blame.'

His girlfriend Charlotte added: 'I lost my love, my baby, and the future I had planned with Tom.'

Fining Burghill Farms and Le Cheminant, Sheriff Gillian Wade said: 'The heater in the bathroom should never have been there at all.

Speaking after the court case last year Thomas's girlfriend Charlotte added: 'I lost my love, my baby, and the future I had planned with Tom.'

Speaking after the court case last year Thomas's girlfriend Charlotte added: 'I lost my love, my baby, and the future I had planned with Tom.'

A preliminary hearing into Thomas's death will take place in March with the full inquiry expected to get underway later in the year

A preliminary hearing into Thomas's death will take place in March with the full inquiry expected to get underway later in the year

'For a period of seven and a half years, people using the cottage were exposed to the risk.'

In a statement issued after the case, Burghill Farms partner Simon Ramsay said: 'We previously offered our heartfelt condolences to Thomas Hill's family and friends and do so again.

'Following discussion with the family, a small grove of trees was planted near the cottage and in response to a family request, donations have been made to appropriate charities.'

Lord Ramsay is the son and heir to Scottish landowner, the 17th Earl of Dalhousie, James Ramsay. 

A preliminary hearing for the fatal accident inquiry will take place in March with the full inquiry expected to get underway later in the year. 

What is carbon monoxide poisoning and what are the symptoms?  

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in humans when a person breathes in carbon monoxide at excessive levels.

It is a naturally occurring gas, made up of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom, that is even produced in the human body at very low levels.

However it is produced at much higher levels by incomplete burning of organic materials - which happens when something burns in an area where there is not enough oxygen. 

This can include poorly maintained and ventilated boilers or car exhausts.

Open fires, such as fireplaces in small confined and poorly ventilated spaces or with blocked chimneys, can also create a risk.

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in humans when a person breathes in carbon monoxide at excessive levels. Measures such as having a carbon monoxide detector or alarm (pictured: Library image) and proper venting and maintenance of boilers, as well as keep vehicle exhausts clean and in good repair can all reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in humans when a person breathes in carbon monoxide at excessive levels. Measures such as having a carbon monoxide detector or alarm (pictured: Library image) and proper venting and maintenance of boilers, as well as keep vehicle exhausts clean and in good repair can all reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning

At high levels carbon monoxide can be fatal for humans, because it binds to haemoglobin in blood cells, preventing them from carrying oxygen to vital organs.  

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often described as 'flu-like' and commonly include a headache, dizziness, weakness, vomiting, chest pains and confusion.

Large exposures can cause seizures and even death.

Every year there are around 60 deaths from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales.

Measures such as having a carbon monoxide detector or alarm and proper venting and maintenance of boilers, as well as keep vehicle exhausts clean and in good repair can all reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.  

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pa3IpbCmmZmhe6S7ja6iaKaVrMBwrdGtoJyklWJ%2BcYCSbmhqaV%2BJtbC5wKxkgaGcoXqkrdGbpqdlnaS7sMTInZxmnJWWwal5pZqrmqRdlrCktcOepa1loKe8o7GMpZiuppOdsqV5kWlobmWUmq61tIysq66claPBb7TTpqM%3D