‘Carbon monoxide poisoning’ killed couple in AC car near Doon heli

Dehradun: Post-mortem reports have suggested that carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused the deaths of a couple found inside a locked car near a helipad in Dehradun, police said on Tuesday. The victims, a 50-year-old cab driver and a 45-year-old woman, were found on Monday morning after their vehicle had been parked with the engine running for several hours.
Rajesh Sahu, a cab driver, and Maheshwari, a widow, were residents of the Kanth Bangla area in Dehradun’s Rajpur locality.According to initial findings, the car, owned by Sahu, was found with its ignition and air conditioning running, all windows locked, and the occupants in a normal sitting posture. These conditions created a deadly environment in the vehicle, leading to the accumulation of CO in the confined space.
Rajpur SHO PD Bhatt said, “The doctors, in their preliminary report, stated that carbon monoxide poisoning from car emissions was the cause of death. Additionally, they noted that both individuals had consumed a significant amount of alcohol, which was likely done inside the car. This combination of alcohol and a sealed environment likely contributed to the quick onset of poisoning.”
The doctors have sent blood samples to a forensic laboratory for detailed analysis to determine the level of CO intoxication and any other contributing factors. “A probe is ongoing to rule out any foul play,” Bhatt added.