Gran and four children die after carbon monoxide exposure while stuck in car with flat tyre

Gran and four children die after carbon monoxide exposure while stuck in car with flat tyre Candace McAllister and her four grandchildren — aged between two and four — have tragically died after being exposed to carbon monoxide inside a car in Toledo, Ohio A grandmother and her four grandchildren have tragically died after being exposed to carbon monoxide in a vehicle, authorities have said. Candace McAllister was driving her grandkids in Toledo, Ohio, when her SUV suffered a flat tyre. The gran, who US media report was just 36, pulled over and called her son, the kids' father, for assistance. But when he reached the scene, it is said he found all five occupants unresponsive inside the vehicle with the engine running, and he called emergency services. Investigators later revealed that the carbon monoxide levels inside the vehicle's cabin had reached five times the lethal limit. The tragedy claimed the lives of Candace and four of her grandchildren; Liberty Coleman, four, and her twin Legacy Coleman, Storm Coleman, three, and two-year-old Stone Coleman. Three of the children and their grandmother passed away shortly after being found or after being rushed to the hospital. The fourth child, Legacy, was placed on life support but tragically died on Friday, July 17. The Toledo Police Department and fire officials confirmed that there is no evidence of foul play and the incident is being treated as a mechanical accident. Authorities impounded the vehicle - a Ford Explorer - to run tests. They noted that when the engine was left running while stationary, toxic exhaust fumes rapidly filled the interior compartment. The children's mother, Adriana Coleman, spoke to WTVG about the devastating loss, saying that her children "all had so much personality in life and were so full of love." The heartbroken mum said: "Everything I did was for my kids. "It seems so surreal now because life has stopped for me right now. I'm here, but I have no idea what's going to happen after I walk out these hospital doors. I just want my babies." Toledo Fire Chief Allison Armstrong told local media that investigators started the vehicle with the doors closed and a meter inside. "We had a high spike of carbon monoxide inside the passenger compartment on that vehicle," Armstrong said, adding that the vehicle was towed by police. "They're going to have to do some further investigation to see if they can identify how does that happen," the fire chief added. "I think that's an important piece of this that people want to know, and they should know for everybody's safety." Toledo Police spokesperson Sgt. Mohamad Nasser said: "Our thoughts continue to be with the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking tragedy." The city's mayor, Wade Kapszukiewicz, said in a statement: "Our hearts are with this family as they face an unimaginable loss, and we are praying for the recovery of the two children who continue to fight for their lives. We also extend our gratitude to the first responders, medical personnel, and law enforcement officers who responded swiftly and did everything they could under incredibly difficult circumstances."