Bavaria: One dead and three injured by carbon monoxide on the campsite

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Gas-powered radiant heater in the outdoor area of ​​a restaurant (symbol image)

Photo: Daniel Karmann / dpa

In an accident on a campsite in Viechtach, Bavaria, one person was killed and three injured.

As the police in Straubing announced on Saturday evening, the four victims stayed on Saturday afternoon in a caravan with an awning, in which there was a gas heater, from which carbon monoxide apparently escaped.

According to the police, a 74-year-old initially complained of nausea, whereupon he left the practically airtight awning.

Outside, he then collapsed and died shortly afterwards despite attempts to resuscitate by the alarmed rescue workers.

The three other people involved were seriously injured by contact with the highly toxic, colorless and odorless gas and had to be taken to hospitals.

Awning virtually airtight

According to the police, carbon monoxide from the heater had built up in the practically sealed tent over time.

The more precise processes of the accident are now being determined by the criminal police.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a relatively common form of smoke inhalation.

Even very low carbon monoxide concentrations in the air we breathe can lead to severe symptoms of poisoning and, within a short time, to death.

In Germany several hundred people die every year from such intoxication - the number of unreported cases is high due to the often unspecific symptoms.

Causes of carbon monoxide poisoning can be fires, defective fireplaces or gas boilers.

Before the introduction of catalytic converters, there were repeated suicides with car exhaust fumes.

ala / dpa