Lawsuit says carbon monoxide caused man's death at Lake Powell

SALT LAKE CITY — The family of an Arizona man who suffered a fatal heart attack that his relatives contend resulted from excessive levels of carbon monoxide in the boat the family had rented, has filed a wrongful death suit against several companies.

Glen Howeth, 62, of Winslow, Ariz., died after being on a houseboat on Lake Powell in June 2008. His family maintains that too-high levels of carbon monoxide were produced by a generator on the boat that got trapped inside and that carbon monoxide detectors did not sound or alert those aboard.

According to the lawsuit, Howeth shared a room with his grandson and awoke to hear the grandson vomiting. Howeth tried to awaken other relatives and summon help.

The other family members experienced such symptoms as vomiting, loss of consciousness, headaches and nausea from carbon monoxide poisoning and were taken by helicopter to a hospital, the suit said.

"While continuing to aid his family and radio for assistance, Glenn Howeth suffered a fatal heart attack induced by carbon monoxide poisoning," the lawsuit said.

The family claims that negligence on the parts of various companies led to Howell's death. Named in the suit are Aramark Corp., which rented the boat to the Howeths; Twin Anchors Marine Ltd., which made the boat; Centek Industries Inc., which manufactured a part in the generator; Marine Technologies, which made the carbon monoxide detectors; and Westerbeke Corp., which manufactured the generator.

The companies have said they are not responsible for Howell's death or the other relatives getting sick.

— Linda Thomson