Man dies in holiday park gas tragedy

A MAN has died and two other people remained critical in hospital last night after suffering suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a holiday home.

The 59-year-old died at the scene while a 60-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man were taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment.

The incident unfolded at Soonhope Huts, a group of holiday chalets and cabins in a glen just outside Peebles yesterday.

The emergency services were called to the Borders town just before midnight on Saturday amid reports that three people had taken unwell.

The holiday park and its approach track were cordoned off by police last night as their investigations continued.

All of the chalets yesterday appeared to be deserted, but police declined to state whether the park had been formally evacuated.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Police

‘Inquiries are currently ongoing’

in the Scottish Borders were called to an address in the Soonhope area of Peebles at around 11.45pm on Saturday, where three people had taken unwell.

‘Inquiries into the full circumstances surrounding this are currently ongoing.’

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste, and is therefore sometimes referred to as the ‘silent killer’.

It causes death by interfering with the blood’s normal mechanisms for absorbing and transporting oxygen, meaning victims effectively suffocate as their bodily tissues are starved of the vital gas.

Every year, around 200 people go to hospital with suspected CO poisoning, which leads to about 40 deaths.

Symptoms of CO poisoning include nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

CO poisoning is most commonly caused by incorrectly installed, poorly maintained or poorly ventilated household appliances, such as cookers, heaters and boilers.

Blocked flues and chimneys can also trap CO, allowing dangerous levels to build up in the home.