Tributes have been flooding in for much-loved local fisherman and father-of-3, Stephen Kitcher, who has tragically died in a suspected carbon monoxide poisoning incident on the Isle of Wight.
The 47-year-old was enjoying an evening of night fishing at his syndicate lake – understood to be in the Arreton area – when the incident occurred earlier this month.
It’s thought that Steve was attempting to keep warm in his tent by using a briquette heated stove when he fell asleep. It is suspected he then became overcome by the fumes and succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
His body was found the next morning when he failed to return home.
A fundraiser has now been set up by Advanced Hookbaits to raise funds for Steve’s wife, Michelle, and the children, to help cover the costs of the funeral. More than £2,800 has been raised to date on the GoFundMe page – https://www.gofundme.com/f/stephen-%20kitcher.
Another GoFundMe set up by Claire Turner has raised in excess of £3,800 – https://www.gofundme.com/f/steve-kitcher.
Steve has been described as an extremely kind man, genuine and loyal and a devoted husband and father. He loved fishing, motorbikes and Liverpool FC. He was a charity fundraiser having climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro in 2014.
Upon hearing the news, South Coast-based Poindestres Angling Centre has issued a warning to all anglers:
“Please, please ensure that if you do use a gas heater or cooker in your shelter that you ABSOLUTELY ensure that you have adequate ventilation. NEVER go to sleep with it on, and ideally, just wear extra layers or use a good hot water bottle instead”.
The matter is now in the hands of the His Majesty’s Coroner for the Isle of Wight, Caroline Sumeray.
Such a tragedy.
Sincere condolences to all his family and friends.