Mother died after inhaling lighter fluid, inquest told

A MOTHER died after inhaling lighter fluid the day after her son’s second birthday, an inquest has heard.

Dublin City Coroner Dr Brian Farrell told the inquest butane gas can cause an immediate heart attack.

Terrie Burke, aged 25, was found unconscious in her home on Wolftone Street, Dublin 1, on November 9, 2010, with a canister of lighter fluid by her side. She was brought to the Mater Hospital where she later died due to butane gas inhalation.

Her father, Noel Burke, told the inquest he remembered that his daughter had not taken her prescription medication for bipolar disorder on the evening of November 9.

He went to find his daughter and discovered her lying unconscious on the living room floor.

Ms Burke’s 2-year-old son was standing over her.

An emotional Mr Burke said he attempted CPR but was unable to do so as seeing his daughter unconscious, his grandson next to her, aggravated his asthma making it hard for him to breathe.

“It was her boy’s birthday the day before. One day the little lad is celebrating his second birthday and has a mother, the next day he has none. It broke my heart.”

Tests carried out at Beaumont Hospital as part of the autopsy found butane in Ms Burke’s blood.

Dr Maria Kennedy, who carried out the postmortem examination, said Ms Burke’s death was a sudden cardiac event caused by inhaling lighter fuel.

Dr Farrell said butane causes cardiac arrhythmia leading to death.

Traces of Ms Burke’s prescription medication for bipolar depression including diazepam and olanzapine were found in her blood, but these did not contribute to her death, Dr Farrell said.

Returning a verdict of death by misadventure, Dr Farrell told the family: “The only word of consolation I can offer you is that it was an immediate death.

“If she’d been found earlier it wouldn’t have made a difference as butane causes sudden cardiac arrest.”