Horror of student in lord’s toxic gas cottage
Firm admits that it exposed people to a risk of death
Gordon Currie A university student died from carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty heating in a holiday home owned by the Earl of Dalhousie and his heir Lord Ramsay.
Lord Ramsay was in court to hear his Dalhousie Estatebased farm company admit exposing holidaymakers to the risk of injury or death from poisoning.
Retired private school teacher Piers Le Cheminant – who had sub-let the property for the tragic break – also admitted making the same health and safety failings.
In October 2015, Stirling Uni first-year student Thomas Hill, 18, was found dead at Glenmark Cottage from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Fiscal depute GavinCallaghan told Dundee Sheriff Court: “Mr Hill was on holiday with his girlfriend Ms Beard and her family.
“The Beard fami ly had rented a holiday cottage – Glenmark Cottage – which is near to Tarfside, north-west of the village of Edzell.
“The Cottage is owned by Burghill Farms, a partnership in the business of farming, s p o r t i n g a nd estate management. During the period of the libel, the partners of the firm were the Earl and Countess of Dalhousie, and their son, Lord Ramsay.
“Mr Le Cheminant is a longstanding user of the cottage and has leased it since 2008, with permission to sub-lease it as a holiday let.
“Heating and lighting was provided by a combination of gas- burning appliances and candles.
“On October 28, Mr Hill went to take a bath dur ing the a f t e r noon. Arou nd an hour after he went to have his bath, Ms Beard went to check he was OK.
“The bathroom door was locked and, receiving no response, entry to the room was forced, whereupon Mr Hill was found resting against the door. “There was a smell of gas emanating from the gas heater in the room, which was noted to be making a buzzing sound.
“Extensive efforts were made to revive Mr Hill by various persons, including the Beard family, estate workers a nd ambu l a nc e personnel.
“Mr Hill was placed into an ambulance to be conveyed to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, but was pronounced dead en route. “A post-mortem e x ami n a t i o n conf irmed the cause of Mr Hill’s death to have been carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Burghill Farms and Le Cheminant, from Devon, both admitted exposing people to the risk of death at Glenmark Cottage from 2008 to 2015.
The charges – under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations, and the Health and Safety at Work Act – state “persons within said premises were exposed to the risk of injury or death as a result of exposure to carbon monoxide”.
Sentence was deferred for reports until later this month. A Fatal Accident Inquiry is also due to take place.
Outside court, Lord Ramsay said: “We offer our deepest condolences to Thomas Hill’s family and friends and hope that today’s proceedings and the fata l accident inquiry will give them some comfort.”