Couple die from carbon monoxide

A COUPLE have died following a suspected case of carbon monoxide poisoning in Redruth.

The tragedy occured on Tuesday evening with emergency services attending the scene.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman confirmed that two people have lost their lives.

A force spokesman said: “Police were notified just after 9pm last night, Tuesday, December 22, following reports of a concern of welfare of two people in a property on Trefusis Road, Redruth.

“Emergency services attended the scene where an elderly man and a woman were pronounced deceased. Their next of kin are aware.

“The deaths are currently being treated as unexplained following suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. A post-mortem examination will be held in due course.”

It is expected an inquest will follow in due course.

The NHS says carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that has no smell or taste.

Breathing it can make you unwell, and it can kill if you’re exposed to high levels.

Every year there are around 50 deaths from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in England and Wales.

After carbon monoxide is breathed in, it enters the bloodstream and mixes with haemoglobin (the red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body) to form carboxyhaemoglobin.

When this happens, the blood is no longer able to carry oxygen, and this lack of oxygen causes the body’s cells and tissue to fail and die.