Inquest hears of mistake that cost Holly Fletcher her life

Jun 30 2010 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A GRIEVING mother last night spoke of her “wonderful, fun-loving daughter who made one tragic mistake”.

Holly Fletcher had her whole life before her when she died after inhaling butane gas from a lighter.

Her shocked mother Lynn found her slumped unconscious on the kitchen floor of the family home in Pine Tree Crescent, Shildon, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, last October.

Despite frantic efforts by paramedics she was pronounced dead in hospital.

She was just 15 years old.

Yesterday at an inquest into Holly’s death held at Chester-le-Street coroner Andrew Tweddle warned of the dangers of inhaling butane gas.

The hearing was told a post-mortem examination showed she died from butane inhalation.

Mr Tweddle said: “If any good can come of this it is if Holly’s tragic death triggers a thought in just one person that it is not a good idea and stops them from doing it.

“It is a very dangerous practice indeed.”

He recorded a verdict that Holly died of non-dependent drug use after hearing that the youngster had misused butane gas before but was not a habitual user.