THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Wednesday, August 3, 1994              TAG: 9408030391
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY MIKE MATHER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                     LENGTH: Short :   42 lines

SECOND CHILD DIES FROM BEING TRAPPED IN HOT VAN FOR HOURS A MEDICAL EXAMINER HAS RULED THAT THE OCEANFRONT DEATHS FROM HYPERTHERMIA WERE ACCIDENTAL.

Ashley Blevins, the 8-month-old girl who was in critical condition after spending more than four hours in a searing van with the windows rolled up, has died.

Another child, 20-month-old Andrew D. Oliver II, died on the day that he, Ashley and his mother were found in the van.

Ashley was taken off life support Tuesday, and her organs will be donated to save other children.

Both Ashley and Andrew died of hyperthermia, said medical examiner Dr. N. Turner Gray. The condition results from prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Gray ruled the deaths accidental.

Andrew's mother, 21-year-old Tara Oliver, lost consciousness in a diabetic emergency just after parking the van at the Oceanfront Area Library on July 27.

Tara Oliver was baby-sitting Ashley. The van idled in the parking lot for 4 1/2 hours before a passer-by noticed that something was wrong.

Tara Oliver was released from the hospital the next day.

Police investigators said they were disheartened that the three people suffered so long in a public place. Ironically, the van was parked less than a block from a police station and a fire station.

Friends and neighbors of the Blevins family have set up a fund to help Ashley's parents meet the mounting bills from her medical treatment and funeral.

Anyone interested in sending a contribution to the Blevins family should mail it to Friends of Ashley Blevins, 5061 Thatcher Way, Virginia Beach, VA 23456.

KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT GENERAL FATALITIES HYPERTHERMIA by CNB