Doctors are claiming truck fumes caused an Oregon driver to fall into a coma. According to Dr. Robert Robertson of Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills, CA, the driver’s coma was caused by Hydrocarbon Poisoning, which is usually brought on by diesel or motor oil fumes.
The driver, 60-year-old Mike McCaul, was driving his rig when he started to feel ill. He pulled over to the side of the road and called 911, which is the last thing he remembers. According to EMTs who arrived on the scene, McCaul didn’t immediately lose consciousness as they reported that he continually asked them not to leave his laptop in the cab of his vehicle when they took him in the ambulance.
After arriving at the hospital however, McCaul slipped into what Dr. Robertson called a “total coma” for six weeks. According to Dr. Robertson, McCaul “suffered from what we call Hydrocarbon Poisoning which causes inflammation in the brain.”
Every day when doing his rounds, Dr. Robertson would check on McCaul and when walking in to the room, say “Good morning.” As one might expect from comatose patients, he never got a response – until one day McCaul reached up and shook his hand.
While in his coma McCaul dropped about 60 pounds of mostly muscle and had to start a long recovery period. Despite his serious condition however, he has been improving quickly and doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
“We have certainly never seen a case when somebody went into [a] coma, was comatose for a month without any response, and then had a total recovery,” said Dr. Robertson in an interview with NBC4LA.
Now that McCaul is out of the hospital he is looking to return to work, but hoping to secure a position doing something other than driving.
Next Story: Wal-Mart Reaches Confidential Settlement With Deceased Comedian’s Family
Source: hometownstation, nbc4la, providence
Patrick Henry says
I would have liked to known the make and model of the truck he was driving.
Kajidono says
Doesn’t matter, any truck can develop an exhaust leak. Always check. Symptoms start as a slight headache and dizziness. Stop right away, get out and away from the truck. If your head clears up after a few minutes, you’ve got fumes in the cab, don’t drive it.
leandean says
Sounds like my truck. Made in Mexico Freightshaker.
Chris says
I have 2007 9900i international eagle
The engine has extrem blow by
Crankcase vent blowing out a foot long steam of steam and smells to me really strong but to no ones else
Also engine is pushing oil out of valve cover and any seal through out the motor
I told my boss its makeing me sick
Its all i can taste
Bad headaches
Chest thraot lungs sore
Today i was seviceing it and guess since i spent 7 days in truck breathing this
I can t even go near the vent the taste intensifies i feel it in my skin
But everyone says they do not smell it
Only one guy said he kinda smelt it
This ever happened to anyone
Sindee says
Just get a carbon monoxide detector that can mount and operate in your truck.
tim[in] says
I have driven trucks where no one else but me noticed the fumes. But were making me sick. I dont remember if they fixed that truck or gave me another one. Some people seem to be more sensitive to fumes from stuff. Had the same problem when i worked in a hog farm
Sindee says
I agree, I’m very sensitive to smell even in my sleep if I breathe in something different I come awake right away. This highly sensitive nose saved my family’s and my life twice. there are certain disadvantages…
harold says
I spent alot of money A few yrs ago tring to get this fume issue out to the drivers had 3 attorneys, finley this is getting out, theres alot to this
Cynthia says
You are absolutely correct about NSTB being a joke .I asked for assistance in investigating my husbands death. All they did was note a complaint received. Trucks should be impounded and inspected by q qualified industrial hygenist
when someone dies in an idling truck or parked at a truck stop.
George says
Yeah, I clicked on the link for the newspaper and they don’t say much either. It’s great that the truck driver recovered, but I really want to know more about how the fumes got into his truck, what can we do to prevent it, etc..
harold says
U cant, theres alot to this. Luckly the driver recovered but think about what could of happen, if he would of passed out behind the wheel going down the road. I and my family whent through hell a few yrs ago. Like I said theres alot to this issue.
Jraulpilot says
Best thing to do is to contact the NTSB and request an investigation of the facts.
harold says
Thats a joke
Frank Burton says
I do 100 percent fumes can effect you and you may have burning eyes or your throat is burning should always have your cup checked or if you idle check for fumes they can kill you
Gordon A says
I have a monoxide detector that works mounted in my truck. When it goes off I park and begin an in depth search for leaks. .
Moxie says
This is the post everyone needs to keep in mind. Ten or fifteen bucks for a carbon monoxide detector that you stick to the ceiling of your cab with a couple strips of Velcro (the real thing) and you’ll probably find that you will wake up every morning. I know I do.
Lola says
it isn’t carbon monoxide, it’s hydrocarbon poison, so the detector will not detect it!
Debbie says
my husband has a diesel mechanic shop and has been having episodes of stroke or druvkness or drugged symtoms at least 3 or 4 times in the last month, They tested him for carbonmonoxide poisoning but it was good. could it be hydrocarbon poison and not show up in the test?
Ty says
It doesn’t matter the make of the tractor, because any truck can do this if there’s an exhaust leak under the hood or under the cab.. I had a leak under the truck and I had to roll the windows down I was getting a headache and feeling woozy. Had that repaired and everything went back to normal..
Tim says
I’ve noticed a strong weird odor in the cab sometimes when the truck engine regens while rolling. I open the windows completely and it’s still bad. New truck too.
Kevin says
I got so sick one day on the week of the 26 Jan 2014..I threw up when I got out of the truck. I attributed it to DEF…The smell inside the cab was something I had never smelled before in 34 years of driving.
Kevin says
I was driving a Freightliner Cascade 2015 day cab..I forgot to add that..
Natnat says
I got sick when I first started driving I never smelled anything.it started with headaches then my eyes started burning and I was always tired after a few hours of starting my dash, then when I started feeling like always throwing up I knew something was wrong. I had told work but they said it was nothing and couldn’t find any exhaust leak. They gave me 4 days off and it started all over again so I went to the other company garage and he found the flex hose had a leak. Let’s say I quit that company
Mike R says
I had a incidence a few years ago with diesel fumes getting into the cab of my truck when sleeping at night. I was constantly getting severe headaches, I told the shop and they weren’t sure the cause. One day I got very sick to stomach when I woke up. My wife took me to the DR and they did blood tests for CO2 in my blood. The doctor said that he doubted it was the cause but ran the test. The next day he called and said to quit driving that truck immediately. The company I drive for sent it to a dealer shop and they found a small exhaust leak and the fumes were finding their way into the sleeper. The doctor ran tests and the levels in my blood started going away pretty fast once the cause was found. I live in MN and idling is pretty much needed during extreme cold nights. They should put CO2 detectors in the sleepers to warn of this it sneaks up on you without any detection.
DeadHeadEd says
I always drive w/one window cracked 1/8″ or so. And at night I always have the downwind window down at least 1/8″ -1/4″. Gotta have a bit of fresh air. CO2 will KILL you; open a window a bit, and you are guaranteed some clean air. I got over a mil miles of proof, fwiw.
lucy parker says
Whats the name of trucking company? Was it knights transportation their good for allowing their driver to die.
harold says
3 wks ago had to be transported by ambulance, joliet yard.u know who it is Miss Parker, at this time I cant say anymore.
Jim says
I have a 2004 Freightliner Columbia that I bought new. I have had problems with fumes coming
in thru the fresh air intake.
Pete says
I find guys running generators beside me as a problem with fumes.
Same with horizontal exhaust instead of stacks.
Cynthia says
There are no carbon monoxide detectors specifically collaborated for semi rig. United Laboratories is currently working on this. What type of truck does matter .Peterbilt has recently had class action lawsuits for mechanical failures involving specific Catapillar engines. Why isn’t anyone looking at the trucks when every driver dies in one. I have tried for three years to obtain mechanical records and the ECM readings from my husbands truck. Drivers blood should be drawn immediately when found ill or dead and tested for carboxy hemoglobin. My husbands test were cancelled and not performed until six months later and they used liver tissue. The lab that performed the test is demanding $3500 retainer fee to talk to me but insist I need a lawyer. My husband was dead almost 40 hours before he was found . They waited an additional 4 days to draw blood and send him for autopsy. The insurance carrier contacted the medical examiners office on a daily basis I feel they directly influenced my husbands cause of death. Cardiac Arrest, Myocardial Infarction and Pulmonary Edema can all be caused by carbon monoxide. OSHA should have authority to investigate but they don’t. You should update and identify what type of truck. Of course if DOT was involved
Poormuthertrucker says
I’m willing to bet that he was driving a freightliner Columbia…
I worked for a company that had a fleet of ’em back between 2006-2008, and they had several trucks in which I felt like laying down and taking a nap within an hour or two of having left the terminal, and in once instance, I even hit the panic button on my QualComm!
After getting out of the cab and walking around for a while, I felt just dandy, and went back to driving – this time with the windows cracked open. I complained to management, but don’t know if anything was ever done to look into it.
Several years later, an aquaintence of mine was driving through Orlando, Fl., and the same thing – she suddenly felt like taking a nap. However, in her case, she passed out at the wheel, and laid her truck down. She was originally cited by the F.H.P. for “wreckless driving”, or some sort, but got it thrown out.
Oh – she was also driving a Columbia.
YMMV
Sandy Jo says
Hi..I’m riding with my husband at the moment . I sleep with the cab AC on and yes truck runs part of the night. I always wake up with this odd and nasty taste in my mouth….reminds me of the smell of old used oil.( We keep the truck very clean inside) and I’m always stuffed up in am. Anyone else have this prob.? He says it dosnt happen to him. Thanks for reading. Any advice is appreciated