Footballer Emiliano Sala was exposed to carbon monoxide before plane crashed, investigators say

Argentine footballer Emiliano Sala and his pilot were exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide inside the cockpit of their plane before it crashed into the English Channel in January, investigators say. Sala and David Ibbotson were traveling from Nantes, France, to Cardiff, Wales, when their Piper Malibu aircraft crashed, killing them both.
The 28-year-old had joined the Welsh club for a reported £15 million ($19.3 million) from the French side and was heading to Wales after saying farewell to his former teammates.
Ibbotson's body has still not been found, but toxicology tests on Sala showed harmful levels of carbon monoxide in his blood, which could have caused a seizure, unconsciousness or a heart attack.
The report released by the Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said it was likely that Ibbotson would also have been exposed to carbon monoxide.
"Toxicology tests found that the passenger had a high saturation level of COHb (the combination product of carbon monoxide and haemoglobin). It is considered likely that the pilot would also have been exposed to carbon monoxide," reads the report published Wednesday.
"When our investigation has concluded, we will publish a final report."
Blood tests showed Sala had a COHb saturation level of 58%. "A COHb level of 50% or above in an otherwise healthy individual is generally considered to be potentially fatal," the report adds.
A lawyer representing Sala's family called for the plane to be recovered for further examination and said the report "raises many questions for the family."