Schoolboy found dead in bed after family thought he was having lie-in
Ieuan Tomos Griffiths, 13, had been exposed to gas prior to his death
A popular schoolboy found dead in his bed had been exposed to "significant levels" of gas, an inquest heard.
Teenager Ieuan Tomos Griffiths died suddenly at his home on January 3, 2017.
An inquest in Swansea on Thursday heard the body of the 13-year-old, who was a year eight pupil at Penyrheol Comprehensive School, was discovered at his home in Bryn Road, Loughor.
The hearing was told Ieuan had been adopted by parents Stuart and Megan Griffiths in August 2004.
He continued to live with Ms Griffiths, and later her new partner Chris, after his parents split in September 2011, a coroner heard.
Ieuan was described at the inquest as a "fit, healthy, and happy child with a dry sense of humour".
His personality was laid-back, the inquest heard, and he loved his laptop, PlayStation, and his graphics tablet.
On January 3, 2017, at 10.30am Ieuan had been in bed and a decision had been made to let him have a lie-in and sleep.
A number of checks were made on him but, as he was lying down, it was felt he was okay and that he should not be disturbed.
But later Chris went into his room and nudged his shoulder causing his whole body to move.
Realising the situation he began panicking, the inquest heard, and ran down to Ms Griffiths saying: "I think he has gone."
Ms Griffiths stayed with her while her partner called an ambulance before performing CPR while being instructed over the phone.
Paramedics then arrived at the scene to take over but Ieuan was pronounced dead.
A post-mortem examination was carried out two days later and found no trace of drugs or signs of injury to cause his death.
A carbon monoxide test was also carried out at the home which returned a negative result.
His electronic equipment was examined but there was no data or information to assist with the investigation.
On January 9 crime scene officers recovered a large number of aerosol cans, two of which had nozzles missing, along with fabric freshener spray.
Giving evidence Ms Griffiths said: "We allowed him to have a long lie-in which was normal because he always loved his sleep.
"He had no problems in school ? he was so laid back and was a peacemaker. He was not the kind to get into trouble or cause trouble."
Rochelle Melissa Savage, who prepared a forensic report, told the inquest how urine and blood samples from the post-mortem examination revealed butane had been found in his blood and had been inhaled shortly before his death.
She said it was "unusual" for butane to be detected in such reports.
But Dr James Michael Coulson, a consultant physician, told the hearing there was insufficient evidence to suggest butane had been the cause of Ieuan's death.
He said: "The lack of a quantifiable result limits the validity of a definitive conclusion. Aerosols provide a source of butane exposure."
Giving his conclusion coroner Colin Phillips said: "Evidence has been found in his bedroom of aerosol cans, with the nozzles removed from two of them.
"There is no evidence of Ieuan experimenting with volatile substances. However, we have evidence of Ieuan being significantly exposed to butane.
"My conclusion is a narrative verdict of sudden death of a person exposed to significant levels of butane."
Paying tribute to his son following the hearing Mr Griffiths said: "He was lovely little boy who was very caring and got on with everybody.
"He loved his animals, especially wolves, and liked playing on his PlayStation and things like that.
"His death was a bolt out of the blue and it was a complete shock that it happened in those circumstances."
After Ieuan's death a statement from his school said: "Ieuan was a quiet and thoughtful young man who was popular with both his fellow pupils and school staff.
"He was always respectful, polite and considerate of others and he will be sorely missed. He was a true gentleman."
Reply With Quote