Vienna  - What should have been a cozy night-time conversation in a car in the Tyrolean mountains took a tragic turn, when a young German man and woman died from inhaling exhaust fumes in their snowed-in car, a police spokesman confirmed Thursday.

Investigators assume that the 21-year old woman and the 23-year- old man, both hotel employees in the Soelden ski area, had been sitting in the car for a chat on Wednesday night, turning on the motor and heater for warmth.

Through a technical defect or because the heating system was drawing in exhaust fumes as the car was packed with snow, both died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Police spokesman Walter Pupp ruled out the possibility of a suicide, as the car was not manipulated. (dpa)