Service station robbery - not an urban myth

[John H]

??????

Try looking again at the Bible, the Q'ran and other holy books from Middle-Eastern-based religions. They are all the same basic book and are all full of contradictions. Some sects within ALL of those religions home in on the "stone-'em-to-death" aspects and others home in on the merciful God aspects. To accuse one religion of having built in intolerance flies in the face of reality.

 

[runnach]

[No message]

 

[John H]

The only conflict is within religion itself (all religions, not just one) - and on what are you basing the claim that the first part is blatently untrue? Are you unaware, for example, of those "Christians" who recently accused all gay people of engaging in what Leviticus would call an abomination? Very tolerant, that.

 

[John H]

[No message]

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Wot's religion got to do with gettin' your motorhome robbed? fftopic:

Just sayin'

 

[John H]

If I knew what that meant, I'd do it! :lol-053:

 

[John H]

Wot's religion got to do with gettin' your motorhome robbed? fftopic:

Just sayin'

Oh, I don't know - there are religious sects that view all property as theft, aren't there?

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Oh, I don't know - there are religious sects that view all property as theft, aren't there?

Fair point

But getting back to the topic, is there any valid data available on this gassing malarky, or is it really just an urban myth?

 

[Robmac]

Only possibility I can see of gassing somebody would be to connect a vent to a car exhaust and pump the van full of CO. This would render somebody unconcious, but more likely kill them if overdone and the smell of the exhaust would be around for a long time afterwards.

I doubt it really happens.

 

[John H]

Fair point

But getting back to the topic, is there any valid data available on this gassing malarky, or is it really just an urban myth?

Tbear seems to sum it up - and he clearly knows what he is talking about. If you research the topic you will find that anaesthetists are of one mind - that it is impossible. Apart from that, it would involve an awful lot of expensive equipment and leave a lingering smell. I think we can be as sure of this as we can be of anything - it is a myth.

 

[Channa]

Fair point

But getting back to the topic, is there any valid data available on this gassing malarky, or is it really just an urban myth?

Good question, for the first time ever to my knowledge, Tbear who works in the field has given a logical explanation and explained the difficulty in carrying out what I believe to be a myth.

I also find it interesting that if the police genuinely thought gassing was involved, they would refer the victims for a blood test, which would provide evidence perhaps ? never heard of that happening.

More likely, to save paperwork blame "gassing" when they are aware that the victims are transient in their patch.....easy option least line of resistance etc.

Channa

 

[mariesnowgoose]

[No message]

 

[Robmac]

Good question, for the first time ever to my knowledge, Tbear who works in the field has given a logical explanation and explained the difficulty in carrying out what I believe to be a myth..........

I presume you mean a logical answer to the myth rather than the first time ever Richard has given a logical explanation!!

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I presume you mean a logical answer to the myth rather than the first time ever Richard has given a logical explanation!!

Oooooo! Get you sir! Trousers a little tight, sir?
We have some excellent teddy outfits. Ooo! Suits you sir! Suspenders, sir?

:lol-061::lol-061::lol-061:

 

[runnach]

I presume you mean a logical answer to the myth rather than the first time ever Richard has given a logical explanation!!

Exactly.

 

[sean rua]

Just in passing,

it is still possiblefor folk to die in their sleep following CARBON MONOXIDE poisoning in a camping van, isn't it?

I realise that the major difference is these unfortunates never wake up, whereas many of the "gassed and robbed" folk did awaken, according to what we read.

sean rua.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

I read this on another motorhome site, which indicates it's a possibility, perhaps?

"I have treated 2 confirmed attacks with 'anaesthetic gas' on victims overnighting South of Lyon on the autroute. Both families concerned were in caravans at diffeerent aires at diferent times in July. The gas being used is ether or very similar. It has a very high level of safety and there are unlikely to be any casualties even children ( see Bill Ord's body count). I am old enough to have used this medically and can vouch for this. It is very easy to obtain this gas on the continent in both gaseous and liquid form. Very easy to pour through ventilation roof vents ( on most continental vans this is at the sleeping end) or roof windows. Modern anaesthetic gases could not be used in this way. I have tested two gas alarms and found them to be very sensitive. They even work when cooking mussels ( as in Moules and chips.

I agree than many cases of robbery occur when people driving too far at the begininning of their holiday get overtired and hence sleep soundly, with their mouths open. They wake up dehydrated - insufficient fluid in the previous 24hours, with a headache and with a sore throat and assume that they have been gassed. Funny how it all happens South of Lyon. Should people target reaching here in their first night since the ferry?"

 

[John H]

I read this on another motorhome site, which indicates it's a possibility, perhaps?

"I have treated 2 confirmed attacks with 'anaesthetic gas' on victims overnighting South of Lyon on the autroute. Both families concerned were in caravans at diffeerent aires at diferent times in July. The gas being used is ether or very similar. It has a very high level of safety and there are unlikely to be any casualties even children ( see Bill Ord's body count). I am old enough to have used this medically and can vouch for this. It is very easy to obtain this gas on the continent in both gaseous and liquid form. Very easy to pour through ventilation roof vents ( on most continental vans this is at the sleeping end) or roof windows. Modern anaesthetic gases could not be used in this way. I have tested two gas alarms and found them to be very sensitive. They even work when cooking mussels ( as in Moules and chips.

I agree than many cases of robbery occur when people driving too far at the begininning of their holiday get overtired and hence sleep soundly, with their mouths open. They wake up dehydrated - insufficient fluid in the previous 24hours, with a headache and with a sore throat and assume that they have been gassed. Funny how it all happens South of Lyon. Should people target reaching here in their first night since the ferry?"

It seems to me that the flaw in the example you give is that there would be a very strong and distinctive smell left in the van afterwards. I think Tbear said it would linger for weeks, so that explanation doesn't work.

 

[mark61]

Who knows the truth, I certainly don't. All I do know, I have spent a fair few nights on these motorway service stations, they are not great stops but they serve a purpose when you have a long journey. I think only once have I been the only vehicle, other times there can be 20+ MH's overnighting. Times that by the amount of service stations and thats a hell of a lot of MH's. You'd think if gassing was so easy you'd hear about it a lot more. Regardless, I'll still be using these on future trips. I wish our service stations were so civilised.

How come these reports are nearly always in France or Belgium, why not here or Germany etc?

Feeling rough after a long drive I can certainly vouch for. Coming back from Morocco once, we overnighted near Granada, started driving about 6 AM, I walked through my front door 8 AM following morning, had a good sleep but when I woke up I felt worse then if I had been on a proper session. Perhaps I was gassed at home.

 

[mariesnowgoose]

Who knows the truth, I certainly don't. All I do know, I have spent a fair few nights on these motorway service stations, they are not great stops but they serve a purpose when you have a long journey. I think only once have I been the only vehicle, other times there can be 20+ MH's overnighting. Times that by the amount of service stations and thats a hell of a lot of MH's. You'd think if gassing was so easy you'd hear about it a lot more. Regardless, I'll still be using these on future trips. I wish our service stations were so civilised.

How come these reports are nearly always in France or Belgium, why not here or Germany etc?

Feeling rough after a long drive I can certainly vouch for. Coming back from Morocco once, we overnighted near Granada, started driving about 6 AM, I walked through my front door 8 AM following morning, had a good sleep but when I woke up I felt worse then if I had been on a proper session. Perhaps I was gassed at home.