This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-58565021
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Chertsey: Zane Gbangbola flood death site 'to be investigated' | Chertsey: Zane Gbangbola flood death site 'to be investigated' |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Zane Gbangbola's parents say their son was killed by landfill gases | Zane Gbangbola's parents say their son was killed by landfill gases |
Investigations at a former landfill site behind a house where a seven-year-old boy died are to take place as soon as possible, councillors have said. | Investigations at a former landfill site behind a house where a seven-year-old boy died are to take place as soon as possible, councillors have said. |
Zane Gbangbola died during floods in 2014 - his parents say he was killed by hydrogen cyanide washed out of the tip. | Zane Gbangbola died during floods in 2014 - his parents say he was killed by hydrogen cyanide washed out of the tip. |
Now Spelthorne council's environment and sustainability committee has voted to take action at the site in Chertsey. | Now Spelthorne council's environment and sustainability committee has voted to take action at the site in Chertsey. |
Committee chairman Ian Beardsmore said tests had not been carried out and it was "the right thing to do". | Committee chairman Ian Beardsmore said tests had not been carried out and it was "the right thing to do". |
An inquest ruled Zane's death was an accident caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from a petrol pump brought in by his family to get rid of floodwater. | An inquest ruled Zane's death was an accident caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from a petrol pump brought in by his family to get rid of floodwater. |
However, his parents Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler always disputed the findings and said the pump was never in use. | However, his parents Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler always disputed the findings and said the pump was never in use. |
Mr Gbangbola, who was paralysed in the incident, and Ms Lawler have now obtained Public Health England (PHE) papers backing their claims. | Mr Gbangbola, who was paralysed in the incident, and Ms Lawler have now obtained Public Health England (PHE) papers backing their claims. |
Zane's parents (left) and campaigners gathered at Westminster last year | Zane's parents (left) and campaigners gathered at Westminster last year |
The papers, released to the family under a Freedom of Information request, include one document stating: "The house had three generators (1 x petrol, not operating, and 2 electric 1 of which was operating) in basement." | The papers, released to the family under a Freedom of Information request, include one document stating: "The house had three generators (1 x petrol, not operating, and 2 electric 1 of which was operating) in basement." |
The document also said fire service testing detected no carbon monoxide. | The document also said fire service testing detected no carbon monoxide. |
A further note said firefighters confirmed "three hits" in the property for "hydrogen cyanide". | A further note said firefighters confirmed "three hits" in the property for "hydrogen cyanide". |
It said long-term exposure to the gas could cause cardiac arrest, adding: "The property has been flooded for the last 6-7 weeks with the family continuing to live in it - the [redaction] has been trying to pump out the basement and garden and the son has been in the flood water and garden." | It said long-term exposure to the gas could cause cardiac arrest, adding: "The property has been flooded for the last 6-7 weeks with the family continuing to live in it - the [redaction] has been trying to pump out the basement and garden and the son has been in the flood water and garden." |
Mr Gbangbola has told the BBC that his son never lived in the flooded areas of the home and only the basement was flooded. He said: "All habitable areas were dry and clean." | |
'Tests must be independent' | 'Tests must be independent' |
Circulating the documents to the committee, Mr Beardsmore called for a report before 9 November stating how the authority would act in examining the site. | Circulating the documents to the committee, Mr Beardsmore called for a report before 9 November stating how the authority would act in examining the site. |
He said: "This is not ifs, buts or maybe, but how and when." | He said: "This is not ifs, buts or maybe, but how and when." |
He said it needed to be decided whether action could be taken under emergency planning, contaminated land or health and safety legislation. | He said it needed to be decided whether action could be taken under emergency planning, contaminated land or health and safety legislation. |
The committee voted unanimously in favour of action, but Mr Gbangbola said afterwards: "The tests must be comprehensive and done independently." | The committee voted unanimously in favour of action, but Mr Gbangbola said afterwards: "The tests must be comprehensive and done independently." |
He also appealed to anyone with information to contact the BBC, adding: "Just do the right thing and tell the truth as you would expect others to do had your child been killed." | He also appealed to anyone with information to contact the BBC, adding: "Just do the right thing and tell the truth as you would expect others to do had your child been killed." |
Protesters have spent seven years campaigning for an inquiry into Zane's death | Protesters have spent seven years campaigning for an inquiry into Zane's death |
PHE said its staff, including the Porton Down-based Emergency Response Department, supported the 2013-14 flood response, and it later provided written evidence to the inquest. | PHE said its staff, including the Porton Down-based Emergency Response Department, supported the 2013-14 flood response, and it later provided written evidence to the inquest. |
It said Dr John Thompson from the PHE-commissioned National Poisons Information Service gave his expert opinion. | It said Dr John Thompson from the PHE-commissioned National Poisons Information Service gave his expert opinion. |
A spokesman for the coroner said: "An independent, full, frank and fearless inquest into the death of Zane Gbangbola was concluded in September 2016. | A spokesman for the coroner said: "An independent, full, frank and fearless inquest into the death of Zane Gbangbola was concluded in September 2016. |
"The coroner's detailed explanation of his findings and conclusion has been available since the end of the inquest." | "The coroner's detailed explanation of his findings and conclusion has been available since the end of the inquest." |
Mr Gbangbola said PHE were not present at the inquest, but "totally absent". He called for an explanation from the coroner. | Mr Gbangbola said PHE were not present at the inquest, but "totally absent". He called for an explanation from the coroner. |
Chertsey was hit by devastating floods and the Thames burst its banks | Chertsey was hit by devastating floods and the Thames burst its banks |
Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk | Follow BBC South East on Facebook, on Twitter, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk |
Previous version
1
Next version