5 bikers found dead in RV at charity event; carbon monoxide suspected

Five people died at a biker festival in Clarksville, Tennessee after fumes from a generator leaked into an RV, the Associated Press reports.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is suspected, but police have not confirmed the cause of death.

The five bikers — two couples and a friend — were staying in a recreational vehicle while attending the festival to raise money for needy children, an event organizer told the Associated Press. One of the couples had 8-month-old twins.

Police are still investigating the deaths, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, but say foul play is not suspected. It appears that fumes from a generator leaked through a small storage hatch on the RV that hadn't closed properly.

The festival, called Bikers Who Care, is held at the Clarksville Speedway and features motorcycle drag races, live bands and bikini and tattoo contests, the AP says. Clarksville is about 40 miles northwest of Nashville, Tennessee.

Money is raised for Camp Rainbow, a summer camp for seriously ill children, and for the Buddy Ball sports league for children with mental and physical disabilities, the AP says. There is also a toy run, which the five victims had taken part in. 

Bill Langford, director of the Bikers Who Care event, told the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle that the bikers' group was like a family, and called it a "tragic accident."

Police said that an autopsy will determine the cause of death for the five victims.