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Lucky Family Survives Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

A Millstadt, IL, family was released from the hospital Monday afternoon after they nearly died in their house from carbon monoxide poisoning after an exhaust pipe in the stove came loose Sunday.

Bobby Wheat said his eldest son, Matthew, woke up about 6 a.m. with a pounding headache, went to the kitchen to get Tylenol and collapsed. Matthew yelled for help. His mom, Wanda Wheat, called police because her headache prevented her from getting out of bed.

"It would have been three generations of Wheats that would have gotten killed," Bobby Wheat said. "They said (the level of carbon monoxide) was pretty high in our system even with the doors open. We were all over 30 percent, and death can come at about 40 percent. If we had kept sleeping , we would have died." 

Son Andy Wheat and grandson Austin Wheat, 9, also were taken to St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville. All were released Monday at about 2 p.m.

Bobby Wheat said they have installed two carbon monoxide detectors in their Blackburn Manor home: "Everybody should have one. I know what it's like not to have it now."