How did carbon monoxide poisoning occur inside the locked car?

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Carbon monoxide poisoning occurred because the car’s running engine likely produced exhaust gases that accumulated in an enclosed cabin
The man found dead in a car parked outside an ice cream shop in George Town was confirmed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a post-mortem examination. Police said he was believed to have fallen asleep inside the vehicle without switching off the engine, and the car was locked from the inside when his body was found. With the engine left on, carbon monoxide from engine exhaust can enter the cabin and build up in a closed or poorly ventilated space.
The victim was found about five days after he likely fell asleep inside the car
The body of the 37-year-old engineer, from Ayer Itam, was found at 11.47am yesterday outside an ice cream shop along Jalan Sungai Dua. Police indicated he was believed to have died about five days before his body was discovered. The case was classified as sudden death, with no criminal elements detected, and a Sudden Death Report was opened for further investigation.
Police believed the engine was left on while he was asleep inside the vehicle
Police said the victim was believed to have fallen asleep inside the vehicle without switching off the engine. His body was found fully clothed in the driver’s seat of his wife’s car, which was locked from the inside. This detail matters because a running engine continues producing exhaust gases that can affect the air inside the car.
Carbon monoxide in car exhaust can build up when the cabin is closed
In general, carbon monoxide is a byproduct of incomplete combustion and is present in vehicle exhaust. When a car engine is running, exhaust gases can enter the passenger area through openings, leaks, or the exhaust system, especially when ventilation is limited. If the cabin is effectively sealed, carbon monoxide can accumulate over time, raising the concentration of gas the person breathes.
Carbon monoxide poisoning works through the body’s oxygen use
Carbon monoxide poisoning typically occurs when carbon monoxide is inhaled and interferes with how the body transports and uses oxygen. As exposure continues, symptoms can progress from dizziness and drowsiness to loss of consciousness and death. In this case, the belief that the victim fell asleep without switching off the engine aligns with prolonged exposure in the car cabin, consistent with the confirmed cause of death.

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How did carbon monoxide poisoning occur inside the locked car?

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