Five out of six people travelling in a passenger minivan fell ill and lost consciousness due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

Nation Thailand reports that on Sunday, April 14, the minivan was travelling between the north-eastern provinces of Mukdanah and Yasothon when 5 passengers passed out in their seats. By the time the van arrived at its final destination of Yasothon bus terminal, at around 3.45 pm, some passengers were vomiting.

 

It’s understood a number of motorbike taxis initially offered the passengers their services, but when they declined due to their ill health, the taxi drivers called the emergency services.

 

By Peter Roche

PHOTO: Thai Rath

 

Full story: PhuketGO 2024-04-16

 

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Jeez, like just sit there and not complain and die?

4 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

Jeez, like just sit there and not complain and die?

Nope. Smell exhaust in the cabin get out

I got out once from a van when the driver kept microasleeping at the wheel too

5 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

Jeez, like just sit there and not complain and die?

They (nor you in that situation) would have any reason to complain, they would not be aware of the odourless cause of their sleepiness nor would they be aware of the risk of death.

5 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

11 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

Jeez, like just sit there and not complain and die?

Nope. Smell exhaust in the cabin get out

CO has no smell and there was no suggestion that the smell of exhaust fumes was detected in the van.  Once the CO had started to take effect on those passengers, they would be less and less likely to be in a position to make the rational  decision to get out, neither would they likely be physically able to get out as unconsciousness took over.

4 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

They (nor you in that situation) would have any reason to complain, they would not be aware of the odourless cause of their sleepiness nor would they be aware of the risk of death.

I'm sorry, but I am a retired Commercial Airline Pilot. And I would know what it is!

2 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

CO has no smell and there was no suggestion that the smell of exhaust fumes was detected in the van.

Everybody knows that Lou. But when the source is from vehicle exhaust it smells does it not?

 

 

I just read a report that one of our crews refused the provided hotel transport and took cabs because of exhaust odour

They were entirely right to do so and entitled to reimbursement

Turns out the provider had been written up before and the vehicle had not been repaired or taken out of service

 

 

2 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

8 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

They (nor you in that situation) would have any reason to complain, they would not be aware of the odourless cause of their sleepiness nor would they be aware of the risk of death.

I'm sorry, but I am a retired Commercial Airline Pilot. And I would know what it is!

My guess is that none of the affected passengers were retired commercial airline pilots, so what was the point you were trying to make, are you suggesting that you could smell odourless CO?.

1 minute ago, Captain Monday said:

9 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

CO has no smell and there was no suggestion that the smell of exhaust fumes was detected in the van.

Everybody knows that Lou. But when the source is from vehicle exhaust it smells does it not?

Where was it reported that the van was filled with the smell of exhaust fumes?

5 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

I'm sorry, but I am a retired Commercial Airline Pilot. And I would know what it is!

 

I recall now the threat discussed from the old Cessna 172 shroud heaters.

 

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms

• headache.
• dizziness.
• feeling sick or being sick.
• feeling weak.
• confusion.
• chest and muscle pain.
• shortness of breath.

1 minute ago, Liverpool Lou said:

My guess is that none of the affected passengers were retired commercial airline pilots, so what was the point you were trying to make, are you suggesting that you could smell odourless CO?.

Here's the point, they could smell the exhaust we can be sure of that and they just sat there and put up with it. Its called being very dumb!

Just now, Captain Monday said:

 

I recall now the threat discussed from the old Cessna 172 shroud heaters.

 

 

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms

• headache.
• dizziness.
• feeling sick or being sick.
• feeling weak.
• confusion.
• chest and muscle pain.
• shortness of breath.

Thanks, plus the obvious exhaust smell. These people will endure without complaining about anything to an absurd degree.

Louverpole. Unconscious people don't usually fill out reports.

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Where was it reported that the van was filled with the smell of exhaust fumes?

Unconscious people don't usually fill out reports.

1 minute ago, rexpotter said:

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

My guess is that none of the affected passengers were retired commercial airline pilots, so what was the point you were trying to make, are you suggesting that you could smell odourless CO?.

Here's the point, they could smell the exhaust we can be sure of that and they just sat there and put up with it. Its called being very dumb!

"...they could smell the exhaust..." 

Really?  I'm sure that you can quote the part of the OP or the linked article that states that the smell of exhaust fumes was evident on the day and the previous, yes?  You wouldn't be that "dumb" (to use your own derogatory term) to make that up, surely?

7 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

---

• headache.
• dizziness.
• feeling sick or being sick.
• feeling weak.
• confusion.
• chest and muscle pain.
• shortness of breath.

Jeez, I used to get all those symptoms after a romantic night with my ex... 🙂

8 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

Here's the point, they could smell the exhaust we can be sure of that and they just sat there and put up with it. Its called being very dumb!

The article does not say they smelled anything, which is possible. So a critique of our response could be that this is just a Thai bashing post. If, we assume the passengers smelled exhaust and either lack basic CO toxicity knowledge or are stereotypically passive to a point where they will not protest being poisoned and suffocated.

5 minutes ago, rexpotter said:

plus the obvious exhaust smell.

That was not reported by anyone on the trip, nor on the previous trip on which passengers had problems.  You are making up the "obvious exhaust smell" aspect.

17 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

My guess is that none of the affected passengers were retired commercial airline pilots, so what was the point you were trying to make, are you suggesting that you could smell odourless CO?.

Old piston engine planes smell like a mixture of avgas, oil, and mouldy naugahyde even when properly maintained

It is possible they noticed no exhaust odor.  Before they  began to experience the insidious effects of CO poisoning 

 

"He was flying alone,
cruising at 5,500 feet on autopilot, with the
sun coming up on a clear, beautiful day. Per
established routine, he switched the fuel
selector to the auxiliary tank and set up the
navigation system for nearby Topeka.
About 90 minutes later, Dr. Frayser found
himself in a hay field. "

 

 

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/safety/pilotsafetybrochures/media/cobroforweb.pdf

2 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

or are stereotypically passive to a point

where they will not protest being poisoned and suffocated.

The consequence of CO poisoning would be their being unintentionally passive due to being poisoned and suffocated!    To criticise them for that, in that situation, would be, as you so accurately mentioned, just Thai-bashing!

2 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

18 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

My guess is that none of the affected passengers were retired commercial airline pilots, so what was the point you were trying to make, are you suggesting that you could smell odourless CO?.

Old piston engine planes smell like a mixture of avgas, oil, and mouldy naugahyde even when properly maintained

It is possible they noticed no exhaust odor.  Before they  began to experience the insidious effects of CO poisoning 

"Old piston engine planes smell like a mixture of avgas, oil, and mouldy naugahyde."

So what?  

 

"It is possible they noticed no exhaust odor".

That's what I said.

I can see gassing becoming the crash excuse of choice any day now 🤔

Quite amazing really that the driver didn't become unconcious too. Very, very lucky that there was no loss of life in this incident.

 

Strange, the driver was wearing a gas mask?

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

My guess is that none of the affected passengers were retired commercial airline pilots, so what was the point you were trying to make, are you suggesting that you could smell odourless CO?.

How does the old joke go?

 

How do you know which of the people at the cocktail party is a pilot?

 

Don't worry, he will tell you within 5 minutes of you arriving!

Back in my youthful days I had taken a bus from the northern bus terminal up to Authhya to meet up with some Thai people i worked with at the time. On the way back, the air con in the ceiling started grinding and smoking until it got so bad I went up and told the driver to let me out. He then closed the door, full of smoke and continued with his passengers.A trail of smoke behind the bus

2 hours ago, rexpotter said:

Jeez, like just sit there and not complain and die?

 

It's part of the culture.  Better die than risk upsetting someone.

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

1 hour ago, Captain Monday said:

1 hour ago, Liverpool Lou said:

CO has no smell and there was no suggestion that the smell of exhaust fumes was detected in the van.

Everybody knows that Lou. But when the source is from vehicle exhaust it smells does it not?

Where was it reported that the van was filled with the smell of exhaust fumes?

 

Why does it need to be reported?  You can simply use your brain.  If the gas was coming from the exhaust, it's very likely that there would be the smell of exhaust fumes, unless the carbon monoxide was somehow being filtered out into the vehicle.  🤷‍♂️

2 hours ago, rexpotter said:

I'm sorry, but I am a retired Commercial Airline Pilot. And I would know what it is!

Your planes used diesel.............🤭

2 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

Nope. Smell exhaust in the cabin get out

I got out once from a van when the driver kept microasleeping at the wheel too

How did you manage to escape? Fell out through the closed door? Or pulled down the windows?😳