A New Year tinged with sadness

We celebrated the new year quietly on board Wrens-Nest, but the start to the year was marred by finding our neighbour Spike and his Staffy Millie dead aboard their boat on Thursday. I haven’t posted details before until I was sure his next of kin had been informed but have seen his brother Shaun today who has asked that we should let people know.

The emergency services attended (in force, along with a SOCO team, coroner et al.) and their initial thoughts were that it was Carbon Monoxide poisoning, although the results of  a toxicology report are awaited and as a ‘Sudden Death’ the case will have to go to a Coroner’s Court.

Those who knew Spike and Millie regarded them with great affection, Spike was always ready with a cheery wave, smile and chat as people passed by and willing to give help when needed. Millie would would always greet you too, ever hopeful that someone would play with her, a vain hope in Catty’s case but they were, however friends and I have seen Millie move in to ‘protect’ her from other less friendly dogs.

Our thoughts and prayers go out his family in their grief and we will post details of funeral arrangements when known so those who knew Spike & Millie can pay their last respects.

The Banbury Guardian reported yesterday:

The cause of death is still being investigated but Watch Manager John Calloway of Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue issued a statement saying:

“Although the cause of this tragic incident has yet to be determined and is an on-going investigation by the police, there are a number of appliances common to both boats and caravans (as well as houses) that have the ability to produce toxic fumes.

“It is our advice that all such equipment is professionally installed by a qualified technician and serviced regularly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

“We also recommend that both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are fitted and tested weekly.”

Sound advice to us all whether boaters or not.