A coroner has issued a serious warning following the tragic death of a six-year-old boy who died after inhaling helium from a balloon shortly after celebrating his birthday.
Gunner Hyatt, a child from Mt. Carmel, Illinois, was declared deceased soon after emergency services arrived at his home on May 29, just eight days post his sixth birthday.
Family members and officials stated that Gunner inhaled helium from a Mylar balloon, and authorities from the Wabash County Coroner’s Office confirmed that there was no possibility of saving him.
The incident occurred when Gunner inhaled the gas, leading to what is believed to be suffocation.
On June 4, the Wabash County Coroner’s Office released a statement: “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.”
In response, the coroner has cautioned the public about the ‘unrecognized’ dangers associated with these large balloons.
The statement further noted: “Coroner Keepes wishes to raise public awareness about the unrecognized potential dangers associated with large child size Mylar balloons.”
He indicated that although balloons are ‘often seen as harmless decorations’, they can pose significant health risks to young children.
This includes ‘the rare but devastating possibility of suffocation and/or helium toxicity’.
Helium toxicity can lead to symptoms such as confusion, dizziness, nausea, and potentially death.
The National Library of Medicine provides data showing that individuals aged 0-5 years account for 3.4% of helium inhalation emergencies requiring hospitalization, with those aged 6-12 years constituting 65.3%, ages 13-19 years at 26.8%, and those 20 years or older at 4.5% over the past ten years.
During the data collection period, 66% of patients affected by helium inhalation were male, with Gunner’s age group experiencing the highest number of incidents.
After Gunner’s passing, the Coroner’s Office expressed its condolences to the bereaved family and encouraged community support, stating: “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 Force. No other information will be released at this time.”
Gunner, who had just finished Kindergarten, is remembered as a joyful child whose ‘laughter brightened every room. He was happiest outdoors—whether 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.
Bethany Hyatt, Gunner’s aunt, shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook: “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.”