Gasfitter supervision failure aired at Jesse Samuel inquest in Queenstown

A coronial inquest into the 2018 death of 12-year-old Jesse Samuel has heard that a failure to properly supervise a gasfitter may have played a role in the tragedy. Jesse died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning while using a gas-powered shower at his family's holiday home in Haast.

During the inquest, Jesse's uncle, Brendan Walker, provided evidence. He stated that if he had read the warnings on the internal water heating unit, it would have immediately alerted him to potential dangers. This testimony highlights a critical lapse in understanding or heeding safety instructions associated with the appliance.

The inquest continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Jesse's death, focusing on the safety protocols and actions taken by those involved in the installation and maintenance of the gas heating system. The proceedings aim to determine the exact cause of death and identify any contributing factors to prevent future tragedies.

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had he read the warnings on the internal water heating unit, it would have set off “alarm bells”.