A 5-year-old British boy died after trying to climb into a life-size helium balloon shaped like a dinosaur, according to a coroner who called it “every parent’s nightmare.”
Karlton Donaghey was given the balloon in June 2002 at a funfair in Newcastle-upon-Tyne where he went with his parents, Lisa and Karl, the Mirror reported.
Once home, he decided to climb into the helium-filled balloon, which was as large as him, to pretend to be a dinosaur, an inquest into his death was told.
His mother found him unresponsive 10 minutes later and rushed him to a hospital, where he died six days later.
“He became quickly overcome by the helium and despite prompt rescue, he suffered a hypoxic brain injury and subsequently died in hospital on 29th June 2022,” assistant coroner James Thompson wrote.
Detective Chief Inspector Laura Defty of Northumbria Police told the hearing that it “was a tragic accident and the parents were in no way to blame.”
Karlton’s mom, Lisa, told the inquest that her son “was an incredibly precious boy.”
“For me and [his dad] Karl, he was our only child and he was precious to everyone he met,” she said, according to the Newcastle Chronicle.
“This tragic accident took him away from everyone who loved him … As his mom and dad, we will carry him with us forever.”
In his ruling, Thompson, the assistant coroner, stressed that the youngster “had a happy family life and was very well-loved.”
“I agree with the police that this was a tragic accident … And it is every parent’s nightmare,” he said.
Thompson was so concerned about the lack of restrictions on buying helium balloons he has written to the UK government to demand prompt action to prevent similar tragedies, giving until Dec. 18 for a response, he said.
“During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern,” he wrote the Office for Product Safety and Standards at the Department for Business and Trade.
“In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you,” Thompson continued.