A family has been torn apart after two sons heroically tried to save their father’s life as he was overwhelmed by fumes inside a shed.
A 44-year-old man and his sons, aged 16 and 23, died on their way to hospital from their property in Broken Hill, in the far west of New South Wales on Thursday.
Neighbour Margaret Graham said the man could smell fumes coming from the backyard of the property.
A family has been torn apart after two sons heroically tried to save their father’s life as he was overwhelmed by fumes inside a shed
Neighbour Margaret Graham said the man could smell fumes coming from the backyard of the property
‘He went to check the generator because he could smell the petrol fumes. This is what his wife was telling me,’ Ms Graham told Sunrise.
‘She went down to help him but she couldn’t stand the smell of the petrol fumes and the sons have come home to help dad out and they all got trapped in the cellar.’
Paramedics who entered the workshop in a backyard shed on Creedon Street just before 4.30pm had to use breathing apparatus because of the toxic fumes from a malfunctioning generator.
‘When we arrived on scene we found a very distressed wife,’ NSW Ambulance Inspector Lisa Darley said.
A 44-year-old man and his sons, aged 16 and 23, died on their way to hospital from their property in Broken Hill, in the far west of New South Wales on Thursday
Paramedics who entered the workshop in a backyard shed on Creedon Street just before 4.30pm had to use breathing apparatus because of the toxic fumes
‘We could see that there were three patients inside before we were overwhelmed by the fumes of them we had to wait for the NSW Fire and Rescue to come with their specialised equipment.
‘It was very difficult access getting into the shed… it was a very emotional and distressing scene and our paramedics crew went above and beyond and did everything they could to help all three patients,’ she said.
‘We have a psychologist and also have chaplains and peer support offices and for the family – it is going to be a very long counselling procedure to help them get through this.’
While police established a crime scene at the property, they later confirmed the death were not being treated as suspicious or as a suicide
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said each of the men went into cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital.
While police established a crime scene at the property, they later confirmed the death were not being treated as suspicious or as a suicide, a spokesman told news.com.au
‘It will be some time before officers can gain access safely to conduct a full investigation. Inquiries continue.’
Broken Hill mayor Darriea Turley said the town’s ‘hearts are breaking’ after the deaths.
‘Broken Hill is a very close-knit community, and any loss of life is going to be deeply felt across the city.
‘My thoughts and those of the community are with the family and friends of those who will be touched by this tragedy.’
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said each of the men went into cardiac arrest while being transported to hospital