Paralysed woman dies trapped in hot car after running out of fuel on road trip

31 August 2023 , 07:18

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Megan Oxley died after getting trapped in a hot car with her two young nieces (Image: K8)

A 36-year-old woman has died after becoming trapped in her sweltering hot car alongside her two young nieces.

Megan Oxley, who was paralysed from the waist down, had been driving south from Kennett, Missouri, last Friday, when her black caravan unexpectedly ran out of gas. With temperatures outside soaring above 100F (38C), Megan and the two girls were stranded for hours unable to escape.

When Megan's family didn't hear from her by Saturday morning, her sister Amber Jones became worried and contacted the Dunklin County Sheriff's Department to report them missing. Using Megan's cell phone signal, authorities managed to pinpoint their location near County Road 522, but it was too late.

Megan was paralysed from the waist down and could not leave the vehicle when it became stranded (K8)

Megan was discovered deceased in the driver's seat, while her nimble nieces had managed to free themselves from the car. The girls had desperately tried to help their paralysed aunt get out too, but were unable to move her due to both their young age and Megan's disability.

Sheriff Bob Holder stated the children were simply too young to comprehend the mortal danger posed by the extreme heat inside the vehicle. After being treated for heat exhaustion, the girls were said to be in good condition and are now with family.

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Megan' sister Melissa Jones shared her immense relief that her daughter survived, telling local station KAIT "I am so thankful, I am so happy she is alive. I was terrified, very terrified." However, Megan's death was a huge shock to the family.

The family thanked the police for their work in the search for Megan (K8)

"She was happy when I saw her last, she was smiling and talking to me," Melissa added "She was just so full of life." Megan' death comes on the heels of their brother Billy's recent passing.

On Facebook, her other sister Amber penned a tribute to her. SHe said "Why do I have to live in a world where my siblings don't? Why did they have to leave me so soon?"

"Megan Oxley we always promised we would be sisters and best friends. Life got in the way sometimes, but I never pictured my world without you. Even though you always made fun of my freckles and teased me for being younger, you were the big sister who I could always count on. I'll love you forever."

Lucy Williamson