(keepes funeral home)
A tragic accident has taken the life of a 6-year-old Illinois boy just days after his birthday, shedding light on the hidden dangers of helium-filled Mylar balloons. Gunner Hyatt, who had recently completed kindergarten at Mount Carmel Elementary School, died on May 29 after inhaling helium from a large Mylar balloon in his Mt. Carmel home.
According to the Wabash County Coroner’s Office, Gunner likely suffocated after breathing in the gas. “Preliminary findings indicate that the cause of death is consistent with suffocation due to a Mylar-helium filled balloon,” coroner Shaun Keepes announced. He urged the public to be cautious, emphasizing that these balloons, often used as party decorations, can be deceptively dangerous.
“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,” Keepes said. Further toxicology and investigative work are underway to confirm the official cause of death, but the tragedy has already sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Mt. Carmel community.
Gunner had just celebrated his sixth birthday on May 21 and was the youngest of three siblings. His obituary painted the picture of a vibrant child full of life and joy. “He was the happiest outdoors—whether he was playing baseball, fishing by the water, or exploring the woods hunting,” it read. “Gunner lived life with a fearless spirit, a playful heart, and a smile that will never be forgotten.”
His aunt, Bethany Hyatt, described him as “an absolute joy and such a thrilling child to be around.” In a heartfelt Facebook post, she shared her grief: “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.”
Gunner’s funeral will take place Friday afternoon at the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home. This heartbreaking incident echoes a similar tragedy in Tennessee last year, when 7-year-old Alexandra Hope Kelly died after being suffocated by a Mylar balloon.
Her mother later issued a public warning to parents about the dangers of these seemingly innocent decorations. These stories serve as painful reminders that certain birthday party items, though festive in appearance, can carry fatal risks for children, WFIE reported.
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