“When I came in he was on the floor”
A 5-year-old boy has sadly passed away after spending six days in ICU. The young boy was hospitalised after he attempted to climb into a large helium balloon at his home in Newscastle.
Karlton Noah Donaghey was identified as the victim.
It is believed he was rushed to hospital after his mother found him unconscious on the floor of their home.
The balloon was over his head and neck when she discovered him on June 23rd.
It is understood that the family was sitting out in the garden before the incident took place. Karlton’s mum grew concerned after he went inside to use the bathroom, but never went back to the garden.
She called emergency services straight away and her son was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
However, her young boy’s life support was switched off after six days.
His mum told Chronicle Live about the moment she found her son on the floor.
“When I came in he was on the floor with the balloon over his head and his neck,”
“It was a dinosaur balloon which was the same size as him. I think he’s put himself in the balloon to be a dinosaur to go outside and surprise his nieces.”
“A precious five-year-old has been taken too soon and I would never ever put this pain on anybody.”
“I pulled the balloon off him and I screamed. I think I carried him to the patio door.
“As a mother, I knew he was gone, he was unresponsive. He had his eyes wide open and he was pale.”
His mum said her son fought as hard as he could, but there was nothing more doctors could do.
“He was trying to fight on but I knew he was fighting with a little ounce of energy, it was taking it all out of him. I told him ‘Stop being brave, go to sleep. I can cope without you and I can do you proud’.
His mum added, “I told him ‘Just close your eyes and rest’ and ‘Don’t worry about mammy’. I promised my little boy that it wouldn’t break me.”
Lisa has asked other parents to be vigilant when it comes to balloons.
She said that many people are unaware of just how dangerous helium balloons are.
“I want parents, grandparents, childminders, adults, students, anyone that has come into contact with helium to be cautious about the ways they use it and dispose of it.
“A precious five-year-old has been taken too soon and I would never ever put this pain on anybody.”
