A six-year-old Illinois boy died last week after inhaling helium from a large Mylar balloon, authorities said.
Gunner Hyatt of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, was found unresponsive on May 29 after suffocating on helium from the balloon, according to Wabash County Coroner Shaun Keepes. The preliminary autopsy pointed to suffocation as the cause of death.
Gunner, who had celebrated his sixth birthday just eight days earlier, was remembered as a “joyful and fun-spirited little boy whose laughter brightened every room,” according to his obituary.
His family called him “Gunny Bunny” and said he loved baseball, fishing, and playing outdoors. A GoFundMe campaign set up to support the family raised more than $19,000.
Authorities are using the tragedy to warn families about the dangers of helium-filled Mylar balloons, which can pose serious risks of suffocation and helium toxicity.
The Mount Carmel Police Department and the Illinois State Police Child Death Task Force are investigating the incident.