Sulphur Point death caused by hydrogen sulphide poisoning, coroner finds

Police at Sulphur Point on November 19, 2020. Photo / File

A Rotorua man who died of accidental hydrogen sulphide poisoning in 2020 at Sulphur Point had been visiting the hot pool daily for months before his death, the coroner has found.

The coroner ruled that signs around Sulphur Point failed to give adequate warning of danger in an area freely accessible to tourists and the public.

In a decision made in November and released publicly, in summary, this week, the coroner ruled that James Whare Taikato died on November 19, 2020, at Cameron’s Laughing Gas Pool, Hatupatu Drive, Sulphur Point, Rotorua, as a result of hydrogen sulphide poisoning.

Coroner Louella Dunn’s full report, obtained by Rotorua Daily Post today, stated the circumstances of Taikato’s death were accidental.

James Whare Taikato, 51, was found dead at Sulphur Point on November 19, 2020. Photo / Alan Gibson

Taikato, 51, had been visiting the Sulphur Point hot pool daily for months before his death.

On November 19, 2020, Taikato was seen leaving his property at 8am. At the time, a neighbour noticed Taikato was carrying his green camouflage backpack as usual.

After that, police were unable to establish his movements.

About 2pm, a member of the public was walking past Cameron’s Laughing Gas Pool, on the corner of Hatupatu and Queens Drives.

He saw the back of a person’s head and shoulders floating in the pool and contacted emergency services.

Police found Taikato unresponsive and floating face down in a shallow part of the pool. He was wearing black shorts and showed no signs of obvious injury. His body was recovered with the assistance of the Fire Rescue Service.

Attending police found Taikato’s clothing and backpack by the edge of the hot pool. Prescription medication in Taikato’s name was found in the backpack.

A pathologist’s autopsy found various medications and cannabis in Taikato’s system.

While these substances may have slowed his reactions, the cause of death was ruled as hydrogen sulphide poisoning, not drowning.

Coroner Dunn said she accepted advice from police that there were no suspicious circumstances around Taikato’s death.

Coroner Louella Dunn said signs posted near Sulphur Point failed to adequately warn of the potential dangers of hydrogen sulphide inhalation. Photo / NZME

In her decision, Dunn said there were two signs posted near the scene of Taikato’s death and neither of them, “either separately or together”, adequately warned the public of the potential dangers.

“A sign posted on the boardwalk in front of the hot pool at the time advised that hydrogen sulphide and carbon dioxide can cause fainting,” Dunn said.

“However, the sign was lengthy and predominantly aimed at providing a light-hearted history of the pool.”

Dunn described the signs in front of the hot pool area as “vague and unhelpful”.

“Hydrogen sulphide is a colourless gas and it may cause irritation to eyes and the respiratory system.

“Effects of inhalation of the gas depend on duration and frequency of exposure, intensity of the exposure and the person’s susceptibility to the exposure.

“However, it is clear that inhalation of high quantities can produce rapid unconsciousness and ultimately death.”

Dunn said recommended additional signage should include the danger of bathing alone and that high levels of hydrogen sulphide inhalation can cause fatigue, dizziness, delirium, nausea, loss of consciousness and death.

“It is difficult to know whether [Taikato] was aware of the dangers or whether additional signage would have deterred him,” Dunn said in her decision.

“There is no evidence to support a finding that [he] went to the pool and entered it with the intention to cause his own death.”

On the contrary, Dunn said Taikato had been spending time there daily without any adverse effects.

“It seems likely that his exposure to toxic levels of hydrogen sulphide on the day of his death was an entirely unintended consequence of bathing in the pool.”

However, Dunn said people have previously died in Rotorua from hydrogen sulphide poisoning after bathing in the hot pools.

“It is hoped that this recommendation will make the public aware of the possible dangers of bathing in hot pools.”

Dunn said a copy of the draft of her finding was provided to the Rotorua Lakes Council, and that council sport, recreation and environment manager Rob Pitkethley had responded.

“Mr Pitkethley advises that following the receipt of my draft finding, a further and modified sign has been erected to expand on the effects of hydrogen sulphide poisoning,” Dunn said.

“The new signage is to be erected to key entry points to the geothermal areas and along the walking areas in front of the hot pools as a priority.”

Dunn said she was grateful to the Rotorua Lakes Council for its prompt and helpful response to the recommendations.

A council spokesperson told the Rotorua Daily Post that, along with the erecting of signs, the council also introduced foot patrols to try and help reduce the chances of tourists, the public and rough sleepers accessing those key areas.

It advised anyone who observed this sort of activity to report it to the council immediately on 07 348 4199.