Elderly British Couple Killed in France After Campervan Fire
An inquest heard that a heater malfunction caused a blaze that claimed the lives of David and Pamela Brack, both 81.
An elderly British couple died after a fire broke out in their campervan while they were sleeping on a campsite in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France. David and Pamela Brack, both 81, were killed in the blaze, which was sparked by the vehicle's heater.
The incident occurred in the early hours of September 5 at the Huttopia Gorges du Verdon campsite in Castellane. The couple's son, who was parked nearby, attempted to rescue them.
A post-mortem examination conducted by Dr. Sam Hoggard at Newcastle RVI mortuary indicated that the provisional cause of death for both David, a retired electrical engineer, and Pamela, a retired hairdresser, was the effects of fire. They were identified by dental records.
French investigators, including firefighters, determined that the fire was purely accidental, originating from the van's heater. The Public Prosecutor of the Digne-les-Bains region, Antoine Pesme, confirmed that the investigation into the fire has concluded.
An inquest into the deaths was opened at Miners Hall in Durham on Monday. Senior Coroner for Durham and Darlington Jeremy Chipperfield adjourned the inquest until July 20, 2027.
The Foreign Office offered its condolences to the family, stating that it is supporting them and is in contact with local authorities.