More carbon poisoning

On Friday a coroner's in quest was held at the Bird-cage, on Stamford-hill, over the body of a journeyman plumber, who lost his life whilst working on the estate of a gentleman named Osborne, by the imprudent use of charcoal fire. It appeared from the evidence adduced before the jury, that the deceased had been employed in soldering a leaden pipe at the bottom of a well 130 feet deep, which was situate in a garden belonging to Mr. Osborne, and had lighted a charcoal fire inside the well, for the purpose of melting the lead and heating his irons. The fire burnt briskly, when the deceased left the well for some purpose or other, and soon afterwards returned. A female servant belonging to the house was shortly after passing by, when curiosity induced her to look down, and she perceived that the light was out, and at the same time heard a noise somewhat resembling the groan of a person in great pain, but from the great depth of the place could not hear distinctly. She also perceived a vapour of a suffocating smell over flowing the mouth. Being much alarmed, she ran for assistance, and returned with a young man, who was about to descend into the well, but had not gone down many steps before he sprung out, fell down, and was dreadfully convulsed.

By this time a number of persons had collected round the spot, lanterns were lighted, and being suspended by a string, were lowered into the well, with a view of ascertaining the situation of the unfortunate man, whose expiring struggles were now heard very plainly; but no sooner were they immersed into the well, than they were instantly extinguished by the noxious vapour, and the by-standers were in the greatest perplexity, as no-one dared venture down, or knew in what manner to act, until a passenger directed them to make use of the only effectual measure which can be used upon such occasions for dissipating the impure gas — namely, throwing down water; which was immediately done, and the young man who had first ventured to descend, again went down with a rope. The vapour, however, was not entirely gone, and upon reaching the bottom it was with great difficulty that he could hold his breath long enough to affix the rope to the body of the deceased, whom he found lying upon his face. The body was instantly dragged out, and every medical endeavour was used to restore animation, but without effect.

The jury, after a patient inquiry into the circumstances, found a verdict of "Accidental Death." The young man who so courageously ventured into the well, has ever since been seriously indisposed, from the effects of having inhaled the gas.