Riverton, WY – At least one dozen people, mostly children ranging in age from an infant to two adults are being rushed to SageWest Health Care Hospital in Riverton with apparent carbon monoxide poisoning.
The van was stopped by the front entrance to the Wind River Casino after the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a an older blue and white Chevrolet van swerving on the road, running off the road and erratic driving just north of Hudson. Undersheriff Ryan Lee stopped the van and reported there were two adults and 10 children in the van, including one infant. The van was licensed in Hot Springs County.
Initial reports from the scene indicate the exhaust system was leaking into the passenger compartment of the van.All of the occupants of the van had been riding to this area from a location in California. Those most ill were in the back of the van, but initial EMS reports indicated everyone in the van had some degree of C0 poisoning.
Due the number of patients, ranging from 12 to 13 depending on initial reports, the Wind River Casino volunteered several vehicles to help transport the victims to the Riverton hospital, along with one ambulance and an EMS supervisor.
The Emergency Room at SageWest Riverton was gearing up for a mass-casualty event as all of the patients were being transported there.