Lucknow: Man Loses Consciousness in Moving Car Due to Heater Use; Police Break Window to Save His Life

Lucknow:
A potentially fatal incident was narrowly averted in Uttar Pradesh’s capital Lucknow when a man lost consciousness inside his moving car after keeping all windows shut and running the blower to escape the cold. The timely intervention of patrolling police personnel, who broke the car window and rescued him, saved his life.

The incident occurred on Friday afternoon near the Nigohan police station, where a car was seen standing suspiciously in the middle of the road. Station In-charge Anup Tiwari, who was on routine patrol with his team, noticed that the vehicle’s windows were completely closed and the driver appeared unconscious, slumped over the steering wheel.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, police personnel immediately broke the car window using a brick and pulled the man out. He was given first aid on the spot, following which his condition improved.

Carbon Monoxide Build-up Identified as Cause

The driver was later identified as Sarvan Yadav, a resident of Meerkangar village. His family members were informed, and he was taken to a private hospital, where doctors said his condition is now stable.

According to police and medical officials, Sarvan was returning from Mohanlalganj to Nigohan when he shut all the car windows due to the cold and kept the blower running continuously. Prolonged use of the blower in a closed vehicle led to the accumulation of carbon monoxide gas, reducing oxygen levels inside the car. This caused dizziness, followed by loss of consciousness.

Medical Warning

Dr. Santosh from the Department of Respiratory Medicine warned that running a heater or blower in a closed car can be extremely dangerous. “Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. When inhaled, it mixes with the blood and reduces oxygen supply to vital organs, leading to confusion, fainting, or even death,” he said.

Safety Advisory for Winter Travel

Experts and police have issued the following safety guidelines for motorists during winter:

• Always keep a window slightly open while using a car heater or blower
• Avoid running the heater or AC for long durations in a parked vehicle
• Open windows immediately if you feel dizziness, headache, or suffocation
• Never leave children alone in a closed car
• Get the vehicle’s exhaust system checked regularly
• Turn off the blower during prolonged traffic jams
• Stop driving immediately if you feel drowsy or fatigued
• Ensure proper ventilation settings in winter
• Avoid smoking inside the car
• If someone appears unconscious in a vehicle, break the window if needed and rush them to a hospital

The incident serves as a strong reminder of the hidden dangers of improper heater use in vehicles and highlights the crucial role of alert policing in saving lives.