Findings reserved in deaths linked by hot pool visits

A coroner has reserved his findings in an inquest into the deaths of two elderly men who visited hot pools in Rotorua.

Phillip Stanley Binns, a 77-year-old from Nelson, died after bathing in a hot pool at Pineland Motor Lodge on November 11, 2007, while Philip John Ham, an 88-year-old from Takapuna, Auckland died in a hot pool at the Fernleaf Motel on April 14, 2008, Rotorua's Daily Post reported.

Rotorua District Council geothermal inspector Peter Brownbridge told the inquest that at the time of the deaths there was no formal system in place to test the hydrogen sulphide levels in motel pools, with both the council and the Department of Labour doing tests.

No tests were carried out before the men used the pools but tests done on the days the men died showed the hydrogen sulphide levels were not high.

"In my opinion, the readings recorded are not sufficient to cause an adverse health reaction," he said.

Coroner Wallace Bain reserved his findings.

The families of the two dead men were supported at the inquest by Charlotte Paul, who flew up from Dunedin.

Her sister, Wanganui artist Joanna Paul, is believed to have died from hydrogen sulphide poisoning while bathing at Rotorua's Polynesian Spa, on May 27, 2003.

- NZPA