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Lethal gas probe denied as 'too costly': Why officials refused to investigate concerns over fumes from landfill site blamed for death of seven-year-old boy

15/2/2015

* Zane was overcome as he slept as floodwaters rose in Surrey
* Experts flagged up 'HIGH RISK' of contamination on land at the back of home
* BUT Spelthorne Borough Council's contaminated-land officer advised against testing the land on the grounds of cost

Zane's mother said last night "It sickens me that the Environment Agency nor the council even warned us we were living next to a landfill site and there may be lethal gases.

'But to find out we were kept in the dark for financial reasons is just devastating. How much was Zane's life worth?

Cost-cutting officials decided it would be too expensive to investigate concerns over gases coming from a landfill site now blamed for the death of a seven-year-old boy in last year’s floods.

Experts flagged up a ‘high risk’ of contamination on land at the back of the home of tragic schoolboy Zane Gbangbola as early as 2010.

But the internal report for the Environment Agency (EA) also discloses that Spelthorne Borough Council’s contaminated-land officer advised against testing the land on the grounds of cost.

The shocking revelation is the latest twist in the battle by the boy’s grieving parents Kye and Nicole Gbangbola to find out the truth about their son’s sudden death last February.

Zane was overcome by fumes while he slept as floodwaters rose in the basement of the family’s home in Chertsey, Surrey. His parents were also rushed to hospital and diagnosed as suffering from hydrogen cyanide poisoning, which has left Kye, 49, a paraplegic.

A post-mortem into Zane’s death found he suffered ‘carbon monoxide poisoning’ after police suggested a gas leak from a petrol-driven flood pump was responsible – but no such pump was in use at the time.

The EA commissioned a study of the site in April 2010 when it planned to build a cabin for workers next door to the Gbangbolas’ home. But when contamination fears were raised, the local council advised it was cheaper for the EA to simply protect its own property with a gas-proof membrane rather than carry out gas monitoring – and not warn neighbouring residents.

Mrs Gbangbola, 37, said last night: ‘It sickens me that neither the EA or the council even warned us we were living next to a landfill site and there may be lethal gases. But to find out we were kept in the dark for financial reasons is devastating.’

An EA spokesman said: ‘We have worked with Surrey Police and await the coroner’s findings.’

Spelthorne Borough Council failed to respond.

Original story click here >>

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Zane Gbangbola death: Mourners gather for 'magical' child at one-year anniversary event

10/2/2015

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Devoted parents of tragic seven-year-old pays emotional tribute and vows to find out "the truth" behind his death

Corporate sin and harm is wrong

Zane Gbangbola has been described as a "magical and loving child" in a poignant tribute held on the first anniversary of his death on Sunday (February 8).

Dozens gathered outside his former Thameside home in Chertsey to pay respects to the seven-year-old who died after floodwater entered the basement of the house on February 8 last year.

His parents, Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler, claim he was killed by hydrogen cyanide poisoning – released through water which they believe had been contaminated by a former landfill site behind their home.

For 12 months the family and the Truth About Zane campaign group have battled for a more comprehensive investigation into Zane's death.

Speaking at the memorial, dad Kye, who was left paralysed by the flooding incident, said: "He lit up our world with his love and his energy. Walking and talking and being with Zane was a pure joy.

"We miss Zane every moment of every day."

Musicians Jonathan and Thomas Prothero performed songs including one of Zane's favourite tracks, Heal The World by Michael Jackson.

Well-wishers held candles and watched as lanterns were sent into the night sky before a dazzling fireworks display.

Kye fondly recalled Zane cycling along the path and boxing with him in the garden.

He said Zane helped out at the Samaritans over Christmas, and once raised hundreds of pounds for a local church through fundraising.

A pensioner reportedly told Kye his son was the "most compassionate person he had ever met
Kye added: "Zane knew that everyone got to go to heaven and now he knows how wonderful it is there.

"He will be forever in our hearts and in our minds.

"I am always glad to hear and to speak about the wonder, magic and love that was Zane, and that he brought into our lives for seven years - the best seven years of my life.

"I want to thank everyone for being here and for all your support - I know Zane would appreciate it.

"Zane deserves better, the pressure is on us to honour Zane with the truth. We are now Zane's voice.

"Rest assured we will do everything we can to make sure that what happened to Zane never happens again.

"Corporate sin and harm is wrong.

"Thank you all for coming and for honouring Zane."

To watch a 5 min video click here >>

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Zane Gbangbola: Dad's touching letter to seven-year-old son on first anniversary of his death in floods

8/2/2015

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A dad has written a touching letter to his seven-year-old son on the first anniversary of his death in last winter's floods.

Zane Gbangbola died when floodwater entered the basement of his Thameside family home in Surrey on February 8 last year.

His mum and dad Kye and Nicole have always maintained he was killed by hydrogen cyanide poisoning – released through water which they believe had been contaminated by a former landfill site behind their home, Get Surrey reports.

In a letter addressed to Zane, who was a pupil at St George’s Junior School in Weybridge, Mr Gbangbola details the daily struggle he and Nicole face since the death of their son.

“As I stare at your toys and the places where I used to see you play, my tears fall as my heart breaks from the emptiness,” he wrote.

"Mum cries herself to sleep every night. I dream of us together again and wake up happy, then sad because your not there.

“I see your toothbrush, shoes and look for you. I can’t hear you and I can’t turn back the clock. Your warm hugs, kisses and smile, the sound of your little feet on the landing floor as you come for your morning snuggle with mum and dad, all now just loving memories.”

Mr Gbangbola added: “I miss you so much Zane, from doing your hair and getting you ready to just being your proud dad.”

For the past 12 months, the family, along with campaign group Truth About Zane, has been battling for a more rigorous investigation into the death of Zane and are still waiting for an inquest date to be set.

In the letter, Mr Gbangbola describes how his ‘biggest wish’ is for people to stand up for him, as he did for other people. “I don’t know what most think of your mum and I,” he wrote.

“But I do know what they would think if they lost their child, they would be devastated and want truth. So I ask their conscience to stand up for what is right and show solidarity with a parent in need.

“The authorities knew immediately what had happened, all they need to do is tell the truth. It makes it difficult asking children to tell the truth if certain adults can’t.”

Spelthorne MP Kwasi Kwarteng has met Surrey Chief Constable Lynne Owens to discuss the case.

He said this week: “It’s a huge tragedy and a terrible thing that happened. Words can’t express how sad we feel. As Kye always says, actions are more important.

“We still haven’t got, to my satisfaction, enough on this.”

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NEWS: Channel 5 'Truth About zane'

7/2/2015

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BEZ IN BED interview 'Truth About Zane'

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EXCLUSIVE: 'Toxic flood fumes killed our boy. It must not happen to another'

6/2/2015

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THE parents of a schoolboy killed by toxic fumes in last year's floods fear thousands of families across Britain could be at risk from contaminated water running into their homes.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss has promised to help Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler find out how their seven-year-old son Zane died after water from a landfill site at a former gravel pit behind their home in Chertsey, Surrey, filled its basement during the flooding last February.

The minister has ordered urgent testing of a lake in the middle of the site for chemical toxins which could interact with water to produce hydrogen cyanide, a deadly gas found in the home after the incident.

However, the parents are campaigning for all landfill sites in flood risk areas to be tested for toxins to stop other families from suffering their anguish.

Landfill sites were unregulated after the Second World War, with no records kept of the large amounts of munitions and gas canisters buried in them.

It took a public outcry at drums of cyanide being dumped at an abandoned brick kiln in Nuneaton in 1971 to shine the spotlight on the problem of chemical waste being illegally buried at sites.

In response the Deposit of Poisonous Waste Act 1972 was drafted in 10 days and passed through Parliament within a month.

With flooding predicted to become a more regular occurrence due to wetter weather caused by climate change, Kye said: "There needs to be an urgent inquiry, not just into why Zane died but into the historical landfill sites in the UK and the consequences of them being flooded."

Zane was taken to hospital along with Nicole, 37, and Kye, 48, after being overcome by fumes during last year's floods.

The schoolboy died and his father was left a paraplegic.

An initial post-mortem examination on Zane's body found "no clear cause of death".

Traces of hydrogen cyanide, used in Nazi death camps in the Second World War, were found in the blood of all three members of the family.

Public health officials and the fire service also found evidence of hydrogen cyanide at the home and evacuated 15 neighbours, yet the family have spent nearly a year battling to be given a cause of death for Zane.

They have not been able to step foot back in their home, even to collect some of their only son's treasured belongings, and have been living out of hotels for the past 11 months.

After recently meeting the parents, Truss ordered immediate testing of the lake for chemical toxins which could react with water to release hydrogen cyanide gas.

In a letter she said: "As a parent I am extremely saddened to hear in our recent meeting more details about this tragic case.

"It is clear on the face of it a number of institutions have some important questions to answer and I was concerned to learn about the slow progress that has been made by a number of bodies in getting to the bottom of what happened."

Kye welcomed the minister's intervention, but wants the land surrounding the lake to also be tested for toxins, as he believes the contamination was caused by floodwater running through the landfill.

He said: "Liz Truss's letter was certainly a step in the right direction, but when we met with ministers we were clear, independent testing of the land needs to be carried out.

"The Government needs to ensure something like this never happens again.

"We have lost a son, yet thousands of other people could unknowingly be at risk. We would like Zane back, it's as simple as that, but we know that can't be done, which is why the campaign aims to make sure lessons are learnt and this does not happen to any other families."

An Environment Agency spokesman said: "This is a tragedy and our sincere sympathies are with the Gbangbola family. Along with other agencies we have worked with Surrey Police on its investigation and we now await the coroner's findings."

A spokesman for Surrey Police said the details of its lengthy investigation have been passed to the coroner, adding: "It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

Click here to watch the video of the parents speaking

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Lethal gas probe denied as 'too costly': Why officials refused to investigate concerns over fumes from landfill site blamed for death of seven-year-old boy

Zane Gbangbola death: Mourners gather for 'magical' child at one-year anniversary event

Zane Gbangbola: Dad's touching letter to seven-year-old son on first anniversary of his death in floods

NEWS: Channel 5 'Truth About zane'

BEZ IN BED interview 'Truth About Zane'

EXCLUSIVE: 'Toxic flood fumes killed our boy. It must not happen to another'

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