CO Claims NE Iowa Teen’s Life, Hospitalizes Another

One person has died, another hospitalized, after being overcome by carbon monoxide while sitting in a running vehicle at a Northeast Iowa high school.

Late Saturday night, two people were found unresponsive, in a running vehicle, parked at the Maquoketa Valley High School in Delhi. A Delaware County sheriff's deputy had been alerted that the vehicle, which had a loud exhaust, had been running for more than an hour, parked in the same spot.

18 year old Cole Haan of Epworth and 17 year old Nichole Lucas of Manchester were found inside the locked SUV. Authorities gained entry to the vehicle and administered first aid to the two. Both were taken to the Manchester hospital, then transferred to University Hospitals in Iowa City.

Haan was pronounced dead this (Monday) morning; Lucas remains hospitalized, but her condition is reportedly improving.

According to the Delaware County Sheriff, the vehicle's exhaust system was broken, letting fumes enter the SUV.

Both teens were apparently overcome of carbon monoxide.

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