BREAKING: ONE DEAD, SEVEN HOSPITALISED AS CARBON MONOXIDE GAS LEAK ROCKS SYDNEY RESTAURANT
- A 25-year-old man has tragically lost his life and seven others, including police officers, are fighting for their lives after a devastating gas leak at a busy Sydney restaurant.
- Emergency services were called to Haveli Restaurant in Riverstone after a frantic 000 call from the owner, who discovered the unresponsive man on the ground floor.
- The area has been cordoned off as hazmat specialists scramble to determine the source of the deadly leak, which has left a trail of destruction and heartbreak in its wake.
Riverstone was left reeling on Tuesday morning as a routine day turned into a disaster zone. A 25-year-old man, employed as a cleaner at Haveli Restaurant, was found unresponsive on the ground floor, sparking a desperate bid to save his life.
Emergency services, including five police officers, rushed to the scene, where they attempted to resuscitate the victim. However, despite their valiant efforts, he could not be revived. The officers, who performed CPR on the man, were among those taken to hospital for treatment.
“At that time, the five police officers attempted CPR on that male, to the point where they felt there was something a little amiss in terms of the environment they were in, including an odour,” Assistant Commissioner Gavin Wood said, his voice laced with sadness.
The horror unfolded when a cleaning contractor stumbled upon the man on the ground floor and raised the alarm. The contractor, along with two others associated with the business, was also hospitalised as a precautionary measure.
Assistant Commissioner Wood revealed that the officers were shaken by the ordeal, saying, “We believe they are very shaken up and again have been taken to hospital.”
As the investigation continues, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Superintendent Adam Dewberry warned that “extremely high levels” of carbon monoxide were detected at the scene, making it a potentially deadly environment.
“Our firefighters are continuing to undertake advanced testing using our hazardous material testing equipment,” he said. “As soon as we are able to identify a source or a potential cause, we will work closely with NSW Police.”
The restaurant owner, Resham Singh, was left reeling by the tragedy, saying, “This is shocking news for me… It’s so bad, I’m feeling so sad as well.” He revealed that the cleaning contractor usually conducted a walk-through of the premises in the morning, but this time, it ended in tragedy.
Local MP, Warren Kirby, expressed his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and those affected, saying, “My thoughts are with the family of the person who has died and with everyone affected, including first responders and their loved ones.”
The area remains cordoned off as firefighters and paramedics work to determine the source of the leak and ensure the safety of those in the surrounding area.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of gas safety and the devastating consequences of a leak gone undetected.