Vergas, MN – A man is dead and a handful of others sickened after being overcome by carbon monoxide Monday near Perham.
A spokesman for the Ottertail County Sheriff’s Department says the 67-year-old homeowner was alone in the home in rural Vergas when his wife discovered him around 7 p.m. last night and immediately called 911. The victim never regained consciousness, and the wife and three emergency responders were overcome themselves by high levels of carbon monoxide in the home. They were airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC) and treated in the hyperbaric chamber. The wife is listed in satisfactory condition, while there is no information on the condition ofthe first responders.
Ottertail County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Keith Van Dyke says two deputies and a state trooper suffered minor cases of apparent carbon monoxide poisoning, as did one other person. Those four spent the night at Perham Health for observation. They were released at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Our hearts go out to our first responders and their families, stated Chuck Hofius, Perham Health CEO. Each time EMS personnel go on a call, we know there is risk and worry for their safety. I am so proud of everyone at Perham health – from the EMS crew on the scene to the staff in the emergency department who responded so quickly to the many other employees that came in from home to help. They did an incredible job in a very scary situation.