Katherine Prechtel, 63, a retired teacher, was unconscious and turning blue when rescuers found her at the Best Western Allentown Inn & Suites in Upper Macungie Township on Friday. Initially hospitalized in critical condition, Prechtel recovered and left the hospital on Monday.
"I didn't expect a good outcome," said township Fire Commissioner Grant Grim.
Her husband, Philip Prechtel, 63, a retired PPL Corp. engineer, was pronounced dead in his room. Nine other people, including emergency workers, were taken to hospitals for treatment or evaluation.
The Prechtels had spent most of their lives in the Allentown area before retiring to Hilton Head Island, S.C., several years ago. They were back in the Lehigh Valley for the christening of their 7-month-old granddaughter, Abigail.
Philip Prechtel's funeral will be held Thursday in Emmaus.
Investigators traced the source of the poisonous gas to propane water heaters in the basement.
Workers repairing stucco on the exterior of the building had erected a canopy of plastic sheeting near the spot where the heaters were vented, apparently to shield themselves from wind and precipitation. Investigators believe the canopy trapped the poisonous gas and recirculated it back inside the building, near the room where the Prechtels were staying.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating.
Workers installed CO detectors in each of the hotel's 77 rooms on Saturday. The hotel, which opened in March, was not required to have them.
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Information from: The Morning Call, http://www.mcall.com
