A family gathering for an early Thanksgiving celebration, at a rental cabin in Duchesne County, Utah, turned perilous when 19 members were hospitalized due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
The incident occurred at the Six Lakes Lodge on Saturday, November 18, 2023, where the group, including 13 children and infants, experienced symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure.
The Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving the emergency call around 2:30 a.m. The family had started feeling unwell the previous Friday evening.
Responding to the scene, the Altamont Fire Department and ambulances from Altamont and Roosevelt found high levels of carbon monoxide in the cabin.
Carbon monoxide (CO), an invisible and scentless gas, is generated when fuels like natural gas, propane, gasoline, or wood are burned. In this instance, the toxic gas accumulated in the cabin due to improper ventilation or equipment malfunction. The Altamont Fire Chief, Josh Phillips, identified the utility room in the cabin’s basement as the source of the highest CO readings.
The first signs of trouble emerged when an 11-month-old baby became lethargic and pale, prompting immediate hospitalization. Soon after, a 12-year-old niece was found unresponsive. Jade and Cassidee Smith, part of the affected family, recounted on KUTV how they felt weak and close to fainting before realizing something was amiss.
All 19 family members received medical attention, with blood tests revealing dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide. The family underwent two and a half hours of treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, a method known for its effectiveness in treating CO poisoning. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment entails inhaling pure oxygen in a pressurized environment, which hastens the removal of carbon monoxide from the system and diminishes the likelihood of enduring neurological harm.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, confusion, and loss of consciousness. In severe cases, it can lead to coma, permanent brain damage, or even death. Groups at high risk include pregnant women, infants, the elderly, and people with lung or heart diseases.
The family’s experience highlights the importance of carbon monoxide detectors in homes and rental properties. In this case, the cabin’s detector had batteries but was not working, emphasizing the need for regular maintenance and testing of such devices. Prevention measures include ensuring proper ventilation when using fuel-burning appliances and installing carbon monoxide detectors.
Dave Nelson, a representative from Six Lakes Lodge, stated that while the scene had been cleared, the cause of the incident was still under investigation. He assured that other properties had been checked and cleared of carbon monoxide hazards.
