A 66-year-old man, David Brown, and his 12-year-old grandson, Kaicy Brown, died during a family camping trip. Another family member found the two victims lying next to each other, unresponsive, in their camping tent on September 14 in Wales. The family had reportedly traveled to Wales from England for the trip that ended so tragically. According to the family’s GoFundMe page, carbon-monoxide poisoning inside the tent was the most likely cause of death.
David Brown was not only Kaicy Brown’s grandfather but also his legal guardian, alongside David’s wife and Kaicy’s grandmother, Mandi Brown. The Browns’ community set up a fundraiser to support the family through this difficult time. According to the GoFundMe page, Kaicy’s older brother and the kids’ uncle (David’s son) were also along on the camping trip but were not affected by the carbon monoxide that apparently poisoned David and Kaicy.
There is no further information at the time about why carbon monoxide built up inside the camping tent.
“Kaicy was a kind, thoughtful and emotionally-aware boy who lit up a room with his smile and good sense of humour,” it says on the GoFundMe page. “A gentle soul, Kaicy made friends easily and was loved by his classmates and adults alike for his easy-going nature and support for others.”
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
“Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when carbon monoxide builds up in the blood,” says the Mayo Clinic on its website. “When too much carbon monoxide is in the air, the body replaces the oxygen in the red blood cells with carbon monoxide. This can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death.”
Carbon monoxide is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. The Mayo Clinic says burning gas, wood, propane, and charcoal all produce carbon monoxide. “A tightly enclosed space makes the buildup worse,” the clinic says.
Since camping combines burning fuels and enclosed spaces (tents), please be aware of this silent killer while enjoying the outdoors. To prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning while camping, consider bringing a carbon-monoxide detector and ensuring adequate ventilation at all times.
To contribute to the fundraiser benefitting this family, visit the GoFundMe page.
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