ELCA News Blog
July 19, 2006
Carbon monoxide caused death of retired ELCA pastor
by Frank Imhoff, ELCA News Service
An autopsy confirmed July 17 that the Rev. Walter J. Vierling, 91, a retired pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Pearisburg, Va., died July 14 of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to The Roanoke (Va.) Times newspaper. Vierling was staying in a dormitory at Roanoke College, Salem, Va., while attending "Power in the Spirit," an annual conference sponsored by the ELCA Virginia Synod. Roanoke is one of 28 ELCA colleges and universities.
A carbon monoxide build-up early July 14 at the "Sections" -- three connected dormitories on the campus -- sent more than 100 people to Salem area hospitals for evaluation. In addition to conference participants, 37 teenagers on campus for an Upward Bound program were staying there. The last of those hospitalized was released July 17 from Lewis-Gale Medical Center, Salem.
The college is in the process of installing carbon monoxide monitors in all residence halls and in all other campus buildings. "Providing for the safety of our entire campus community is our top priority," said Teresa Gereaux, director of public relations, Roanoke College. Dr. Sabine O'Hara, Roanoke College president, appointed a five-member task force to study the accident and to help develop the college's long-term response to the safety issues.
The carbon monoxide leak was caused by a failure in a natural gas- powered water heating system, Pat Counts, chief of the Salem Fire- EMS Department, told a July 19 news conference. He said the system is made of several mechanisms that are supposed to stop functioning if one part fails. Counts said he did not know which part failed, but the system continued to function. Pressure built up over 24 hours, releasing carbon monoxide into the dormitories, he said.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog