Tragedy struck a local family today when a game of hide and seek ended with two family members dead and another seriously injured after suffering toxic gas inhalation.
The family was hiding under the doona when unusually high levels of gas became trapped creating a ‘dutch oven’. It is not clear who was responsible for the flatulence.
The Victorian coroner said, “It’s possible the gas came from one person, but with the levels we found, we suspect it was at least two of them, maybe all three. Meaning, each individual is likely both a perpetrator and victim. What we can’t figure out is how they all managed to release the gas at the same time. It’s a freak accident.”
It is believed the family had recently woken up and were playing an innocent game of hide and seek. Another sibling was ‘seeking’ and is the one who made the grisly discovery and alerted authorities.
Forensic experts are trying to piece together the family’s movements in the days leading up to the event. Inspector Singh said, “We are looking into any usual activity such as high consumption of baked beans and if there is a history of food intolerances or digestive issues in the family.”
Authorities warn that families need to take precautions, especially with the holiday season coming up. Singh said, “People’s diets change this time of year. Playing a game of hide and seek in a bed at any time is a risk. After a night of indulgence, it’s a death trap.”
