Teenager dies in suspected gas poisoning at takeaway
A 16-YEAR-OLD girl has died and a boy is critically ill today after suffering suspected carbon monoxide poisoning while working in a fast-food takeaway.
The owner of the Erith Fried Chicken outlet in Bexleyheath found the girl and the 17-year-old boy unconscious on the floor of the shop.
It is believed they were overcome by noxious fumes while working in the shop.
Three other people were treated at the scene and a fourth person was taken for treatment at Queen Mary's Hospital in Sidcup.
The teenage girl, named only as Samantha, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics at 11.15am on Monday.
A 17-year-old boy, named locally as Tom Hoyne, remains in a critical condition after being taken to the Royal London Hospital.
A witness said the owner of the takeaway was in a "distressed state" after walking into his shop and finding the victims unconscious on the floor.
He said: "He just fell to his knees as he opened the door. We have all assumed the girl and boy were working in the premises getting it ready for business."
A post-mortem examination was opened at Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough and suspended for toxicology results.