The heart-wrenching story of Esra Haynes, a vibrant 13-year-old, has shocked the nation, prompting her devastated parents to issue a heartfelt warning to prevent others from enduring the same tragedy.
Esra, described as “determined, fun, cheeky, and talented” by her co-captains at the Montrose Football Netball Club, tragically fell victim to a viral craze known as chroming. This dangerous trend involves inhaling toxic chemicals through the mouth or nose to achieve a dangerous high.
Esra, an active athlete who led a healthy lifestyle, made a fatal mistake on March 31 during a sleepover at a friend’s house. Wanting to be part of this alarming trend, she inhaled a toxic amount of aerosol deodorant, leading to cardiac arrest and irreparable brain damage.
Her parents, Andrea and Paul, shared their heartbreak on A Current Affair, recounting the nightmarish phone call that shattered their world. “We always knew where she was and we knew who she was with,” said Paul, struggling to comprehend the sudden tragedy.
When her friends initially thought Esra was having a panic attack, they were unaware of the severity of her condition. Despite paramedics’ efforts, Esra’s brain damage was beyond repair, and her parents faced the unimaginable decision to turn off life support.
In the wake of this devastating loss, Esra’s parents are tirelessly advocating to end this deadly viral craze. They emphasize the critical need for education and awareness among young people. Paul expressed regret about not being aware of chroming before, urging comprehensive education to empower youths with accurate information.
Esra’s story serves as a painful reminder of the lethal consequences of this trend. Chroming can lead to seizures, heart attacks, suffocation, sudden sniffing death, coma, and organ failure.
The Haynes family’s unimaginable pain echoes through their words, serving as a stark warning against the dangers of this deadly trend. Our hearts go out to them, hoping their bravery will spare other families from such a heartbreaking tragedy.