Coroner warns of danger of recreational helium use after man's tragic death
A coroner has warned of the dangers of helium for recreational use after hearing how a 32-year-old factory worker was found dead last December in a house he shared with his parents in Ballyhaunis, Co. Mayo.
The inquest into the death of Stefan Danicic, a Croatian national, was conducted in Ballina Courthouse by the Coroner for the District of Mayo, Dr. Eleanor Fitzgerald.
The deceased's father, Karim, in a deposition to Gardaí read to the inquest, said his wife (Snezana) screamed after discovering their son lying dead on the floor of his bedroom at St. Gerard's Court, Ballyhaunis, on December 13 last.
An empty canister of helium was found in the bed beside the body.
There were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, Garda David Brandley outlined in a statement which was read into evidence at the hearing.
Medical evidence was given to the inquest that Mr. Danicic died from asphyxiation due to helium inhalation.
After hearing all the evidence, Coroner Fitzgerald said it was the first such case she had come across in her time as a coroner.
'Helium is very toxic,' the coroner stated.
'There is a lack of awareness as to how dangerous it is. It is very easy to obtain. It displaces oxygen from the airways leading to asphyxia.'
The coroner said that death from helium use can be more instant than for alcohol or other drugs.
She recorded a verdict of misadventure.
The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week
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