A 6-year-old in Mt. Carmel, Illinois died after inhaling helium from a balloon. The Wabash County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death was suffocation. The child was said to have inhaled the gas from a shiny balloon while at home.
Balloons filled with helium are often seen at birthday parties, but authorities warn that they can cause suffocation or helium poisoning. Many children try to inhale helium to make themselves sound like cartoon characters, but most people don't know that it's dangerous.
The boy, Gunner Hyatt, was described by his family as cheerful, agile, and loved to play outside. The incident has left their community deeply saddened. Police are still investigating and examining the full cause of his death. Experts have warned against using helium balloons with children.
