Boy, 5, Dies After Inhaling Helium from Balloon—Family Warns of Hidden Dangers

A five-year-old boy died in June 2022 after inhaling helium from a balloon. Karlton Noah Donaghey was found unconscious at home and later passed away in hospital. His family is now warning others about the hidden dangers of helium.

On 23 June 2022, Karlton was playing with a helium balloon at his home. His mother had cut the string earlier, but the balloon was later found over his face. When he went inside to use the bathroom, he collapsed unconscious.

His 29-year-old sister, Kaitlin, discovered him and immediately performed CPR before calling emergency services. Karlton was rushed to hospital but remained in critical condition. Six days later, he died from the effects of helium inhalation. Helium can displace oxygen in the lungs within seconds. This leads to unconsciousness, brain damage, or even death by asphyxiation. While no official UK statistics record child deaths from helium balloons between 2021 and 2025, isolated warnings about the risk of suffocation exist.

Kaitlin Donaghey is now urging parents to avoid buying helium balloons. She stresses that what seems like a harmless toy can turn deadly in moments. The family's warning follows Karlton's tragic death, highlighting a little-known but serious risk.