Embarking on what was to be a joyous Thanksgiving retreat, one family’s idyllic plans took a heartbreaking turn and culminated in an unexpected hospital visit.
Where did this happen?
Husband and wife Jade and Cassidee Smith shared with KUTV the disturbing experience that unfolded when their family chose Six Lakes Lodge in Duchesne County, Utah, as the backdrop for last weekend’s Christmas celebration.
They didn’t anticipate that their quiet getaway would transform into a series of disconcerting events that would ultimately lead to a medical crisis.
Cassidee told the news outlet that she and her sister experienced sudden weakness, a sensation similar to impending fainting.
The severity of the situation increased when a family member discovered that their 11-month-old son seemed lethargic and pale inside the shelter. Quickly realizing the seriousness of the situation, they quickly transported the baby to the hospital.
“I kept saying [Jade] something is not right,” Cassidee shared.
How many family members were affected?
KUTV
Another distressing incident took place with a 12-year-old boy in the family. Cassidee realized this when she and her husband were taking a nap. Her sister abruptly woke her up, screaming frantically that her niece had been found unconscious, before collapsing to the floor in a faint.
“I went to get up. My tunnel vision made me pass out,” Cassidee recalled after struggling to wake up. “I was just slapping [my husband] Like you have to get up, I can’t move; I could not stand it”.
The family noted that “three” members were outside and several others were not feeling well.
Responding quickly, they dialed 911 and opened all the cabin doors. However, other family members began to feel worse.
“We went from one unresponsive to four in about five minutes.” Jade said, noting that the family then attempted to remove 13 children from the shelter.
According to the KUTV report, the Altamont Fire Department shared in a press release that officers arrived at the cabin around 2:30 a.m. local time.
Using a detector, firefighters discovered elevated levels of carbon monoxide inside the cabin.
“We found the hot zone in the basement, in a utility room.” Altamont Fire Chief Josh Phillips told KUTV. “The CO readings were strongest in that utility room.”
After discovering high levels of carbon monoxide, all 19 family members at the shelter were transported to Uintah Basin Medical Center for treatment. Six family members were taken by ambulance, while the rest drove themselves.
The company that owns Six Lakes Lodge stated that they have cleared the site, but the investigation into the cause is ongoing. They assured me that their other properties would not be affected and would be safe.
The Smiths shared that blood tests for each family member at the hospital revealed carbon monoxide levels above 8.5. The 12-year-old niece’s levels were exceptionally high: 33.
According to the National Institute of Health, carbon monoxide poisoning is defined by carboxyhemoglobin levels greater than 10%, and severe poisoning is associated with levels greater than 20-25%.
The family members underwent treatment in hyperbaric chambers for two and a half hours at the hospital and eventually recovered. Jade expressed relief, noting: “It was scary, but it was really lucky. If something had happened differently, then this would be a story about 19 dead bodies found in a cabin.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn