Boy, 12, ‘died playing the choking game’ after school warned of lethal craze
Tragic Karnel Haughton tried the game out at his home when his mum had gone out
A BOY of 12 died after playing a choking game that cuts off oxygen to the brain three months after his school warned pupils about the lethal craze, an inquest heard today.
Karnel Haughton lost consciousness and died after taking part in the dangerous online craze.
Youngsters film themselves choking and post the videos, not realising they can kill themselves or cause lasting damage.
It is known as “the good boys’ game” because it does not involve drugs or alcohol.
Today an inquest heard how tragic Karnel tried the game out at his home in Birmingham on the evening of June 1 when his mum Gemma Haughton, 31, popped out to buy them fish and chips.
Miss Haughton told Birmingham Coroner's Court she discovered her son lying unconscious at the bottom of the stairs when she returned with their food at 9.30pm.
She told the inquest: "I went to the chip shop and came back in and he was there.
"I thought he was just messing about. I thought he was just joking."
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The inquest heard three months before his death, the headteacher at Karnel's school warned pupils about the dangers of the choking game after another boy collapsed.
Miss Haughton said since his death she discovered her son had previously played the choking game.
She told the hearing: "He'd come in at times before and his eyes were bloodshot. He had burst blood vessels on his shoulders.
"At the time I did not realise where they had come from. But I did research and I guess he had been playing the game before.
"When he came in with bloodshot eyes I thought it was hayfever or something."
Miss Haughton also warned parents about the killer craze, but raised concerns about how the issue was tackled in schools.
She said: "I think it is a good thing to make children aware of this but then again it could be dangerous.
"The child will hear choking game and automatically think it is a game. I think there should be a whole lot more of awareness."
Karnel was a pupil at Greenwood Academy in Castle Vale, Birmingham.
Speaking at the time of his death headmaster Harry French said: “Karnel always had a smile on his face.
“He had many friends who will be devastated by this sad news.
“He had great ambitions to become a firefighter.”
Today Mr French - the former head at Greenwood Academy Henry - told the inquest he had spoken to all Year 7 students about the dangerous of the craze.
He said: "On the 18th March 2016 we had an incident where a Year 7 student had taken part in something called the pass out challenge.
"I immediately called an assembly for Year 7 students and I warned students about taking part in this.
"I was very aware not to use anything that could intrigue students. I didn't use the phrase choking game or pass out challenge.
"I think that the Internet and YouTube has so many examples of this and it is glamourised."
Recording a conclusion of death by misadventure, Birmingham coroner Emma Brown said: "It is clear that Karnel had been trying to experience the sensation of passing out or being close to passing out without realising the consequences of what he was doing and this led to his death.
"Karnel was a smiling caring joking happy 12-year-old. On the 1st of June he had had a normal day.
"I will be recommending that the department of education give guidelines for dealing with this."
Karnel's death was not the first to result from youngsters playing the choking game.
Jack Pickles, 14, was found dead in his bedroom in Todmorden, West Yorks, by his mum Selina Booth after playing the game.
An inquest into Jack’s death recorded an accidental death verdict.
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