Three members of the same family have died after being found unconscious in a shed in Broken Hill.
Emergency crews were called to a home on Creedon Street in the western New South Wales town about 4.30pm on Thursday.
They discovered the 44-year-old man, a 23-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy in cardiac arrest in the workshop, reportedly due to gas from a generator that malfunctioned.
The trio were taken to Broken Hill Hospital but subsequently died.
A NSW Ambulance spokesman said the three had been “overcome by fumes.”
“It’s a hazardous material incident.”
The ABC has reported the victims were a father and two sons.
Police have established a crime scene. “It will be some time before officers can gain access safely to conduct a full investigation,” police said.
“We’ve had a terrible tragedy this evening with three people who’ve lost their lives,” acting superintendant Mick Fuller told the ABC.
“Now the priority is making sure the scene’s secure, making sure it’s safe and conducting a thorough investigation.”
Fuller said the deaths appeared to be an accident.
“At this stage, there is nothing that points us to anything suspicious … but it is a terrible tragedy.”
Police inquiries are continuing and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Australian Associated Press contributed to this report.
