Gas Death Mums Make Warning Movie

The mothers of two teenagers in Northern Ireland who died from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning last summer have made a film with the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents NI to raise awareness of the 'silent killer' and how future tragedies can be prevented.

Catherine McFerran and Katrina Davidson give their personal accounts of the tragedy that claimed the lives of their sons, Neil and Aaron, during a weekend away last summer.

As well as their story, the film shares some of the steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of CO poisoning, focusing particularly on the families' campaign for people to use audible CO alarms.

Jim King, from the Health and Safety Executive Northern Ireland, is also interviewed.

Neil McFerran and Aaron Davidson, both 18, died at a holiday flat in Castlerock, Co Londonderry, last August.

The teenagers, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, had been spending a weekend at the seaside village with their friend Matthew Gaw, also 18, as they waited for their exam results. Matthew also suffered the effects of CO poisoning and spent time in hospital. A faulty liquid petroleum gas appliance was found at the flat.

Ita McErlean, Home Safety Manager at RoSPA in Northern Ireland, said: "RoSPA responded to many questions about gas safety in the weeks after Neil and Aaron's deaths.

"We are pleased to offer support to the McFerran and Davidson families, who are working tirelessly to promote the dangers of carbon monoxide and we are enormously grateful to Catherine and Katrina for taking part in this film, which we hope will reach many people."

Grieving mum, Catherine McFerran said: "On behalf of both of our families, Katrina and I agreed to take part in the video to help raise awareness of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. We feel it is vital that a greater awareness of the dangers is highlighted to the public."

Katrina Davidson said: "After the tragic loss of our sons Aaron and Neil we want to do all we can to ensure no other family has to go through what we are going through," she said, noting that CO is known as the 'silent killer' because it is invisible and has no smell or taste.

It results from the burning of gas and other fuels, including wood, coal and oil. It can build up to dangerous levels if a fuel-burning appliance is incorrectly fitted, badly repaired or poorly maintained, or if flues, chimneys or vents are blocked.

Neil and Aaron's families have already launched the Gis A Hug Foundation to take forward their campaign and raise awareness of the importance of having fuel-burning appliances serviced annually and the fitting of audible CO alarms in homes and holiday accommodation.

See: www.gisahugfoundation.co.uk for details.

The film can be watched at: CO MOVIE

See: www.4ni.co.uk/northern_ireland_news.asp?id=114827

(BMcC/GK)