In Ottawa Ten people, including 4 children, poisoned by carbon monoxide

Ottawa: Newcomer family hospitalized after mistake linked to winter cold

A tragedy struck a family newly arrived in Canada on December 22, in the Vanier neighborhood of Ottawa. Ten people, including four children, were poisoned by carbon monoxide after leaving a vehicle running in a closed garage to warm up, - reported. The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) highlights human error due to a lack of familiarity with the severe winter cold.

According to Sergeant Scott Pettis of the OPS, the family, unaccustomed to the harsh Canadian winter, was unaware of the need to ventilate the garage by leaving the door open. “They left the vehicle running to warm it up, without knowing that they had to open the garage door to ventilate it properly”he explained. The incident, described as an accident by the authorities, is nevertheless the subject of an investigation.

Ottawa Paramedic Services transported all ten victims, in serious condition, to hospital. Among them, a man who no longer showed vital signs when help arrived, but no loss of life has been confirmed so far, police said.

Guillaume Lacombe, emergency physician and toxicologist at the Lanaudière Regional Hospital Center, emphasizes that this type of incident is unfortunately common during winter periods. “Carbon monoxide poisoning often occurs in winter, whether from poorly ventilated generators or vehicles left on in enclosed spaces”he explains. He recalls the crucial importance of installing carbon monoxide detectors to prevent such tragedies.

Also read:

Robenson Rendel, a contractor shot seven times in the courtyard of the Notre-Dame du Perpétuel Secours church