It is not such a surprise that nothing is written in the moroccan newspapers. Such news are just not published in Morocco. I talked to another local person and he confirmed the death, but also with no more facts.
I think there must be more to it. Nobody dies of thurst in just one day. I really would love to know more.
And, btw, I know the poster in person. He is a local from Ramlia, now english teacher in Rissani and a very honest person.

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Have a safe trip
Edith
Morocco

Sorry but yes you can. Although it was more likely that the COD was not thirst, but more like an myocardial infarction or cerebral anurysm or infarct caused by heat (i.e. heat stroke) or dehydration. It can kill in far less then a day (at little as 20 min). Cars can get to be 20-30 deg C higher then ambient. So if it is 50 deg c out it could easily be 70 inside the car more then enough to cook someone's brain, if she pass out in the car or fell asleep. If she did not have enough (or any) water it easily could have killed her) Although sad it is tragically more then physiologically feasible.

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2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

Yes, this is more it.
I am just trying to imagine the situation. The couple departed in the morning, maybe with 1 or 2 bottles, because I can't believe that anybody is so stupid to start without any water on a desert trip of 250 km in summer. The car problem arrived, maybe stuck in the sand. Both get out, try to dig out the car. They are thursty, drink all available water. Car still in sand. The man decides to get help, the woman stays with the car. She would not be inside, so not too much heat. Maybe in the shadow beside the car. She is thursty and afraid. So a heat stroke or infarct seems possible. But just dying because of not enough water in a few hours, I can't believe this. This would need days.
I remember the german car dealers end of 1980s, who disappeared near Tamanrasset. Some of my friends went to Algeria for the search. Finally the people were found, dead. But it took days, as they could see from the remains. In the end they even drank the water of the car cooler.
BTW, I was on this same piste in May with a friend. Enough water. Just near Ouzina we got stuck in the sand (he was the driver ). So I know the road condition there very well. The owner of the nearby auberge came with shovels and we got the car out fast. We were lucky. But even with more problems I had water enough.

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Have a safe trip
Edith
Morocco

Edith, What Xander was referring to was heat stroke which strikes when you are already very dehydrated (possibly over days). It this case it is well known that people previously conscious slip into comas or even drop dead - it happens very quickly and with little warning.
Maybe that is what happened to the unfortunate victims. It is not the first time this has happened down there at this time of year.
It happened to a driver or two on a Tunisia Rally in '97? while still at the wheel (or some such story).

Ch

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Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

A friend travelling on an XT in the South Ethiopia to Northern Kenya area - near Turkana, with a group of 5 Motorbikes. They were struggling tthrough deep sand in a nd out of dry river beds etc, my friend started to struggle and the others started to help, himand each other. However, shortly after he collapsed - no definates but probably not drinking enough water and heat exhaustion. He passed out and quickly got worse - got him in some shade, stripped off his clothing and tried to cool him as much as poss - water and fanning. The most able biker then rode in the direction of the nearest habitation - he luckily came upon an Army patrol - they drove out in their truck picked up my firend and his bike and drove to a small airstrip that is used for the mail plane.From here the army guys radioed Nairobi and got patched throughto a Doctor - he advised another friend how to rig up a drip, supplied by the army, and the mail plane picked him up the next day and flew him to NAirobi, where he was transferred to the hospital. He was still unconscious and remained so for 4 days - he was released after one week and others who were looking after him said he could not speak properly, and did not get back to anything like normal for 2-3 weeks.

The body, needs water/fluids in extreme heat, also pushing the body especially when dressed in off road kit will only speed up the overheating/exhaustion levels.

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ChrisC

It’s interesting that you mention that he was not able to speak. Some years ago I ran out of water in Sudan (summertime) and had a pretty hard time. The first few days I had problems when I tried to speak, after a week or so I was healed.
Maybe this is common?

Neurological problems are a very common effect of dehydration
Check out this thread for a break down of clinical dehydration.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ghlight=Xander

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2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

Actually this is exactly how it could have happened.. with 1-2 bottles of water they where both already dehydrated..rule of thumb: in the heat you need 5-6l per day per person.. with exercise it goes up 1tr per hour with moderate exercise.

I said that didn't I :confused1:.. but Chris remember with either clinical dehydration or heat stoke it does not have to be days.. but is more related to ambient temperature, body condition, Body mass, and exertion load .. (as well as a heap of other factors - drugs, menstrual cycle..ect) heat stoke is defined as the core temperature reaching 40Deg C that is only a 3 deg increase, and can happen very quickly..

For the true geeks out there here is a few medical review papers
NEJM -- Sign In

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2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com

[QUOTE=Edith Kohlbach;202851]
I remember the german car dealers end of 1980s, who disappeared near Tamanrasset. Some of my friends went to Algeria for the search. Finally the people were found, dead. But it took days, as they could see from the remains. In the end they even drank the water of the car cooler.

Hi Edith
I remember well, the discovery of the German group who went a little off piste in 1987, I was in Tamanrasset shortly after they were found. Their dreadful and terminal experience was deeply disturbing, and I have taken greater care to calculate my rations, health-care, fill-ups and expected journey duration ever since.
So their tragedy was not in vain... Kit

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Kitmax

I felt that this topic was so important that I must share my own experiences:

I lived for many years in the Middle East where my passion(still is)was off roading and walking/clambering where ever I got to.I was fit healthy and carrying plenty of water in the car.

Twice I overexerted myself hill clambering(not real climbing)away from the car and had to lay under rocks for two or three hours before I could regain the strength to move back to the car.Both times I had plenty of water in my rucksac and I drank it all(say 3l) without noticible improvement in my condition.The second time I was also carrying two small cans of Isostar isoponic drink and this really did bring me around.Since then I always have similar mineral drink available if I am in the desert.

I will leave others with more scientific knowledge to explain the process properly but I hope this experience helps you all.

Be safe and enjoy!

When bicycling in hot countries like south east asia, I normally take 2 salttablets (from the pharmacy) every morning and bring 2-3 along for emergency. This is very effective and also helps against legcramps at the end of the day.

If you can't get salttablets, most any pharmacy in any country, have small sachets with electrolytes (salts) for treating diarrhea, such as Repalyte Repalyte Sachet 4.87g 10new - Sanofi Aventis - Home Pharmacy
so you don't have to find and carry special drinks, but can make do with smal and light sachets and water. They are also much cheaper and lighter, than bringing any sportsdrink powder along.

PS: are we still on topic ?

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Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !

Hello,
Sorry for being late to answer people who shed light on this topic.I had the chance to go to the area and asked people personally ,and this is the real story as it is said by the man who is still alive.
The people are french and they come from Merzouga targetting Zagoura ,and they had 2 punctures.They had 2 bottles of 1.50 liter each .The woman did not stay in the car and I mentioned at the first time,but they went together searching for a place where the mobile phone is wotrking to call an assurance agency in Casa blanca.They walked for about 24 kms,but the woman did not manage to continue with her husband after they finish all what they have in the 2 bottles.The man arrived at Fougani village in bad situation,and talked to the people who huurried up to search ,and they found the woman died.The locals gave the first aid to the man and local authorities did its work as far the transportation of the body of the woman to Ourzazate.
kind regards to all participants.

Thank you aghbalouramlia, what a sad news for the persons involved and their relatives.
Sounds like a small adventure ride (rental car? 3 liters water) went bad. What should have been a great holiday-story afterwards, turns into a personal nightmare.

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bart & sophie