Latest news with #GunnerHyatt
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Boy, 6, dies after inhaling helium from balloon just days after birthday
WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT Following Gunner's death last month a coroner has warned the public about the 'unrecognized' dangers of the large, child-sized balloons A six-year-old boy has tragically died eight just days after his birthday after inhaling helium from a Mylar balloon, family and officials have said. The horrific incident happened on May 29 when Gunner Hyatt likely suffocated to death when he breathed in the inert gas at his home in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Officers from Wabash County Coroner's Office rushed to the scene but sadly Gunner was unable to be saved. Following Gunner's death a coroner has warned the public about the 'unrecognized' dangers of the large, child-sized balloons. On Wednesday June 4 Wabash County Coroner Office shared a statement following Gunner's tragic death, it read: "Shaun Keepes responded to a residence in Mount Carmel on Thursday, May 29, 2025, regarding the tragic accidental death of a juvenile. "An autopsy was conducted in Springfield, Illinois, on Friday, May 30, 2025. Preliminary findings indicate that the cause of death is consistent with suffocation due to a Mylar-helium filled balloon. Additional testing and toxicology, are pending to determine the final cause of death. "Coroner Keepes wishes to raise public awareness about the unrecognized potential dangers associated with large child size Mylar balloons. While often seen as harmless decorations, these balloons can pose serious risks—particularly to young children—including the rare but devastating possibility of suffocation and/or helium toxicity. "The Wabash County Coroner's Office extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this heartbreaking accident. As a community, please hold this family in your prayers. Agencies involved in the ongoing investigation include the Mount Carmel Police Department and the Illinois State Police Child Death Task other information will be released at this time." Gunner, who had just completed Kindergarten at Mount Carmel Elementary School, was remembered as a cheerful and adventurous child whose 'laughter brightened every room. He was the happiest outdoors-whether he was playing baseball, fishing by the water or exploring the woods hunting. 'He had a huge love for monster trucks and never missed a chance to go mud riding with his family. Gunner lived life with a fearless spirit, a playful heart, and a smile that will never be forgotten," according to his obituary. The boy, whose birthday was on May 21, was the youngest of three children. The youngster's grief-stricken aunt, Bethany Hyatt, described him as 'an absolute joy and such a thrilling child to be around.' Hyatt shared a tribute on Facebook on May 30: 'There's not a person that knew him that would say he wasn't an incredible child. There are no words to express how deeply we are feeling his absence. He will forever be in our thoughts and we will never truly recover from this. He touched so many lives in his short time here with us.'
New York Post
4 days ago
- New York Post
6-year-old Illinois boy with ‘a fearless spirit' died after inhaling helium from balloon just days after birthday
An Illinois boy – who had just celebrated his sixth birthday – tragically died after inhaling helium from a Mylar balloon, family and officials said. Gunner Hyatt likely suffocated to death when he breathed in the inert gas inside his Mt. Carmel home on May 29, according to the Wabash County Coroner's Office, which responded to the grim scene. 'Preliminary findings indicate that the cause of death is consistent with suffocation due to a Mylar-helium filled balloon,' coroner Shaun Keepes said Wednesday, adding a warning to the public about the 'unrecognized' dangers of the large, child-sized balloons. Advertisement Gunner Hyatt, 6, likely suffocated when he breathed in the inert gas on May 29. GoFundMe 'While often seen as harmless decorations, these balloons can pose serious risks – particularly to young children – including the rare but devastating possibility of suffocation and/or helium toxicity.' Additional testing and toxicology are pending to determine the young boy's official cause of death, which local police are also investigating. Advertisement Gunner, who had just completed Kindergarten at Mount Carmel Elementary School, was remembered as a cheerful and adventurous child whose 'laughter brightened every room,' according to his obituary. 'He was the happiest outdoors-whether he was playing baseball, fishing by the water or exploring the woods hunting,' his obituary read. 'He had a huge love for monster trucks and never missed a chance to go mud riding with his family. Gunner lived life with a fearless spirit, a playful heart, and a smile that will never be forgotten.' The youngster was remembered for his cheerful and adventurous spirit. keepes funeral home Advertisement The boy, whose birthday was on May 21, was the youngest of three children. The youngster's grief-stricken aunt, Bethany Hyatt, described him as 'an absolute joy and such a thrilling child to be around.' 'There's not a person that knew him that would say he wasn't an incredible child,' Hyatt wrote on Facebook May 30. 'There are no words to express how deeply we are feeling his absence. He will forever be in our thoughts and we will never truly recover from this. He touched so many lives in his short time here with us.' Advertisement The boy's funeral will be held Friday afternoon at the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home. In a similar case in 2023, a young Tennessee girl was killed by her own birthday balloons just days after she celebrated turning 7 years old. The child's mom warned other parents about the potential hazards of foil helium balloons after her daughter, Alexandra Hope Kelly, was suffocated by a large number '7' Mylar balloon.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
6-year-old boy dies tragically in rare balloon suffocation accident, coroner says
**Related Video Above: What happens when you call 911? MOUNT CARMEL, Ill. (WJW) — A 6-year-old boy died last month in what the the Wabash County coroner has concluded was a 'tragic accidental death' involving a balloon. First responders were reportedly called to a home in Mount Carmel, Illinois, on May 29 where the boy, identified by family as Gunner Hyatt, was pronounced dead. Volunteers build playset for Akron boy with cancer Wednesday, the coroner's office released its initial findings for how Hyatt died, with a toxicology report still pending. 'Preliminary findings indicate that the cause of death is consistent with suffocation due to a Mylar-helium filled balloon,' the office said in the report. Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes said he wanted to make the public aware of the danger posed by large Mylar balloons, which are often the same size as children. 'While often seen as harmless decorations, these balloons can pose serious risks — particularly to young children — including the rare but devastating possibility of suffocation and/or helium toxicity,' the office said. Couple allegedly bought more Narcan instead of calling 911 in toddler's suspected overdose death: Docs The boy had just finished Kindergarten at Mount Carmel Elementary School, according to his obituary. He leaves behind his parents, two siblings and everyone else who loved him. A GoFundMe has been set up for Hyatt's family, who described him as 'the craziest, most loving little boy.' An investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
