White Lake, NC – A grandmother and her four grandchildren were rushed to the hospital after suffering carbon monoxide poisoning in White Lake Tuesday night.
According to officials, the incident happened on Ryan Road around 10:20 p.m. at Camp Clearwater.
White Lake emergency crews responded to the campground to check on the occupants of a travel trailer. Once on scene, police and fire personnel smelled the odor of propane and found the trailer to be locked.
One of the responding officers was able to open a window and saw a woman passed out on the floor and a girl who was barely conscious. The officer called out to the girl to open the door. She was able to open the door before collapsing.
First responders rushed in and found three other children unconscious in the trailer. All five victims were taken to Cape Fear Valley Hospital in Elizabethtown and later sent to Duke University Hospital for further treatment. Officials say they are all doing well at this time.
According to officials, the 67-year-old grandmother was spending spring break with her four grandchildren ages 3, 8, 8, and 12 at her vacation home.
After cooking dinner, all five suddenly became sick. The 12-year-old girl managed to call family member in another county telling them that everyone was sick. At first, the family members thought it was a stomach bug.
They called back later and spoke with the grandmother and the 12-year-old and noticed both were incoherent. They immediately alerted 911.
Officials investigated the trailer and discovered that a burner on the gas stove was left on.