BEXLEY: Dead teenager in suspected carbon monoxide poisoning named (From News Shopper)

BEXLEY: Dead teenager in suspected carbon monoxide poisoning named

5:19pm Thursday 19th March 2009

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A 16-YEAR-OLD girl who died from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning at a Bexleyheath takeaway has been named.

She was Chelsea Leigh Wright, of Brunswick Road, Bexleyheath.

An inquest into her death was opened and adjourned today (March 19) at Croydon Coroner's Court.

Police are still waiting for the results of toxicology tests, following a post-mortem examination at the Princess Royal Hospital in Farnborough, to confirm the cause of her death.

Chelsea was pronounced dead by paramedics at the Erith Fried Chicken takeaway in Erith Road, Bexleyheath, on Monday after the owner of the shop raised the alarm.

It is understood she had not been in the area for very long and was the subject of a care order by another local authority.

Meanwhile Tom Hoyne, aged 17, of Fendyke Road, Belvedere, who was with Chelsea at the takeaway, remains critical but stable in hospital.

Tom, who works part-time at the takeaway, was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, but later transferred to Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone, east London, where his family are at his bedside.

He is believed to be conscious and now breathing unaided.

A neighbour, Pravin Vadher, 51, said: “I don’t know the boy very well, but his parents are very nice people.

“I have known them for a long time, I think they have been living in this street for 20 years, maybe longer.

“It’s a terrible shame this has happened.”

It is thought the teenagers had stayed overnight in the empty flat above the shop, after asking the owner if they could shelter in the takeaway because they were being followed.

He gave the couple the keys and asked them to lock up when they left.

The owner found them in the shop the following morning and raised the alarm.

He then collapsed with shock and was taken to hospital.

It is believed he was later arrested by police in connection with the incident and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Three other people who attended the scene, including two London Ambulance Service staff, were taken to Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, for treatment.

Chelsea's stepmother, who wanted to be named only as Jenny, said she had been told about the girl’s death on Monday night.

She said she had not seen her since before Christmas.

Now separated from the girl’s father and living in Hampshire, the 31-year-old said: “It was all a bit of a shock. It was disbelief really.

“She was a very happy and joyful person.

“She wanted to work with kids.

“She loved her family and all her brothers and sisters.”

Floral tributes have been left outside the takeaway, which remains closed.

Among the messages was one reading: "Tom Hoyne, we hope you pull through and we are thinking about you deeply.

"Do this for us. We all love you and we are going to be by your side all the way.

"See you soon. Love from Chloe and Amy."

Another read: "R.I.P Chelsea.

"We are all going to miss ya very much, they say the best are taken young, are thoughts are with you and your family.We love you. Chloe."

A police and a Health and Safety Executive investigation into the incident are continuing.

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