Is this really possible?

[greenD1]

http://www.pressherald.com/news/off...n-their-seats-when-found-dead_2012-05-14.html


I did not think it would be possible to die of carbon-monoxide poisoning being outside with both windows down... strange

 

[ptschram]

Bottom of a ravine, no wind, CO is heavier than air, yep, confined space death at its finest.

But, what a way to go!

 

[SGaynor]

CO is heavier than air

C'mon, you know better than that...

 

[wheelen disco]

Methane sounds like a more probable culprit than CO

 

[ptschram]

C'mon, you know better than that...

Alright, how about displaced by the constantly generated CO.

What's the vapor pressure of CO vs air?

With no air movement to dissipate the CO, the engine running and probably running rich the air quality certainly didn't meet "Minimal acceptable entry standards".

As for methane, if there was enough methane to displace the oxygen that they couldn't breathe, it likely would have combusted from the heat of the engine-if the concentration were high enough.

 

[roverMc]

Sounds like something for Mythbusters.

 

[stu454]

Sounds like something for Mythbusters.

We can hope.

 

[Roverrocks]

No matter what the Cause of Death this is a sad, very tragic event. My condolences to the families. RIP.

 

[jhmover]

Exhaust leak getting into the cab?

 

[rcshauger]

CO2 is heavier than air, while CO is similar in density. I am dubious that CO poisoning could happen outside from an exhaust leak, but the details seem missing. Poor people. Were they in a Jeep?

 

[ptschram]

In a depressed area, engine running, no air movement to speak of, it could happen, but I'd think it would take a while and hopefully, someone would get out of the vehicle and move around.

Nausea, fatigue, loss of ability to reason are all symptoms of CO exposure. Sadly, they also lead to folks not getting out of the area.