Young couple found dead in car

KOTA KINABALU: A couple are believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning after their bodies were found along the Penampang Tambunan road, about 25km from here.

Sabinus Lionson, 27, and his girlfriend Lucia Marasin, 19 were found dead inside their Proton Iswara parked by the side of the road near Kampung Kibunut at about 7.30am yesterday.

Penampang OCPD Deputy Supt Mohd Azhar Harnin said the engine and air-conditioner were still running when the bodies were discovered.

"We do not suspect any foul play. We believe they could have suffocated from fume poisoning," he said.

The bodies have been sent to Queen Elizabeth Hospital here for post-mortem.

DSP Azhar said initial investigations revealed that the couple were drinking local rice wine at Kampung Moyog at about 3pm on Friday.

"A relative of the couple last saw them still drinking at about 7pm," he said.

DSP Azhar added that they left at about 10pm and had apparently stopped beside the road to rest.

"We believe they fell asleep and were suffocated by fumes emitted by the car," he said, adding that the time of death was estimated to be between 1am and 2am yesterday.

Source: Sunday Star newspaper