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Two people questioned after 11-year-old boy died ‘immediately’ after doing ‘chroming’ trend

Home> News> UK News

Updated 19:57 10 Jun 2024 GMT+1Published 19:46 10 Jun 2024 GMT+1

Two people questioned after 11-year-old boy died ‘immediately’ after doing ‘chroming’ trend

They were questioned following the death of Tommie-Lee Billington

Joe Harker

Joe Harker

Police questioned two people following the tragic and sudden death of Tommie-Lee Billington, an 11-year-old boy who passed away after attempting a dangerous online challenge.

The boy was found unresponsive at a friend's house in Lancaster on 2 March, and his relatives said he'd attempted a challenge called 'chroming'.

Chroming, known also as huffing or sniffing, involves huffing toxic chemicals such as solvents and aerosols.

Such things can get you high as they slow down your brain, sometimes causing symptoms like slurred speech, dizziness and hallucinations and vomiting.

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In more serious cases it can cause seizures, suffocation and serious damage to internal organs.

Tommie's grandmother Tina Burn said the 11-year-old 'died instantly' after trying what had become a trendy thing to do online.

An 11-year-old died earlier this year, and his family say it was due to 'chroming'. (Facebook)
An 11-year-old died earlier this year, and his family say it was due to 'chroming'. (Facebook)

"Tommie-Lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then. The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone," his grandmother said of the boy.

"He had a heart of gold, just like his dad. Our family is utterly devastated."

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Lancashire Police questioned two people from Lancaster after the 11-year-old's death, one of whom has been released on bail and another released under investigation.

Following Tommie's death, a 25-year-old man was arrested and a 35-year-old woman interviewed voluntarily, and Lancashire Police have said that the man was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty, neglect, possession with intent to supply a drug and money laundering, he was released on bail pending further inquires.

The woman was voluntarily interviewed relating to allegations of possession with intent to supply.

Tommie-Lee with his dad Graham (Facebook)
Tommie-Lee with his dad Graham (Facebook)

Police said they were called by the ambulance service to attend a report of a sudden death, and that when they arrived at the address they found a boy unresponsive.

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They said at the time: "We were called by the ambulance service at 12:04pm on Saturday March 2 to an address on Greenset Close, Lancaster, to a report of a sudden death.

“Emergency services attended an address and found an 11-year-old boy unresponsive. Sadly he was later pronounced dead. The death is currently being treated as unexplained and the coroner has been informed.

"A police investigation is ongoing and the boy's family are being supported by officers. Our thoughts are with the boy’s loved ones at this incredibly sad time. If anyone has any information they are asked to contact police."

The 11-year-old's family described him as 'bright' and 'energetic', saying he ended up being 'the life and soul of any room'.

His grandmother has demanded that social media bosses 'do more' to protect younger users from potentially lethal trends.

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LADbible has contacted Lancashire Police for further comment.

Featured Image Credit: Facebook

Topics: UK News, TikTok

Joe Harker
Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

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@MrJoeHarker

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