Auckland men Derek Hamilton and Martin Van Rensburg died at a motor camp near Raglan. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
Two South African-born men died of carbon monoxide poisoning after they took a portable charcoal barbecue into their holiday cabin to keep warm.
Waikato coroner Gordon Matenga found the deaths of Auckland men Derek Gordon Hamilton, 50, and Martin Francious Janse Van Rensburg, 37, were accidental.
The men
were found in their beds in a cabin in the Ruapuke Motor Camp, 20km south of Raglan, on September 7 last year.
Mr Matenga said he had considered if there were any recommendations he could make to avoid similar deaths in the future.
"I do not believe that any recommendations are necessary. Publication of the circumstances of this case through the media should be a sufficient and further warning to campers," he said.
Mr Matenga said portable cooking systems such as charcoal and gas barbecues could be lethal if used in confined spaces.
"Without adequate ventilation, dangerous gases such as carbon monoxide can build up with lethal effect. Care should be taken to use such portable appliances in well ventilated areas."
A third man, Jayson Basson, 33, of Hamilton, was found in a delirious state on the floor of the cabin.
Mr Matenga said Mr Basson could not recall much of what had happened at the motor camp the night before his friends were found dead. He had suffered, among other things, a brain injury with post-concussion type symptoms.
But one of his rescuers, who tended him after he was dragged from the cabin, recalled him saying things like "I am an idiot. I shouldn't have taken the barbecue inside".
Mr Matenga said he was satisfied Mr Basson did take the barbecue into the cabin, but what was not clear was whether he did on his own or whether the decision was made by all three men in an endeavour to provide further warmth.
"There is insufficient evidence to make any further findings in this regard" he said.
- NZPA
