by Chris Malone
Pensioners living in caravans should ensure they have enough heat to keep them safe, especially if this winter is as cold as last.
An inquest recently heard how a 73-year-old man was found dead in a freezing mobile home at Pentre Farm, Llanelltyd, on January 9th.
Retired builder John Peter Downes lived alone in the dilapidated tourer, which was described as “very untidy, very dirty and very cold”.
In fact, temperatures inside had dropped so low that the water in a bowl in the sink had frozen solid, as had that in the toilet.
PC Sara Cadwell explained that there was also an unlit open fire and gas heater in the lounge and a broken window that let in a draught.
The victim was found naked close to his bed, with the post mortem showing typical signs of hypothermia.
“The fact he was naked is also relevant as sufferers often take off clothing because they feel warm at the onset of hypothermia,” pathologist Dr Mark Lord told the inquest, before coroner Dewi Pritchard Jones decided that Mr Downes died of self neglect.
Meanwhile, telling what the weather is going to be like this winter could be more difficult after the Met Office announced that it was ceasing to issue seasonal forecasts as a result of inaccuracies.
