The boy from Lancaster, England, was at a friends’ house for a sleepover on Saturday when they discovered the challenge on the TikTok app and decided to try it themselves. Unfortunately, the TikTok craze went wrong and Tommie lost his life.
The challenge involves inhaling dangerous gases or solvents that induce a state of euphoria. Examples include dry shampoo, deodorant spray and glue.
The moment Tommie inhaled the gas, he went into cardiac arrest and died instantly.
“At the hospital they did everything they could to bring him back to life, but nothing helped. He was gone,” said his grandmother, Tina Burns.
“He had a heart of gold, just like his father. Our family is completely devastated.”
Tommie’s mother, Sherri, said the fad had cost her son his life and pleaded with parents not to let their children use the social media app.
“It has cost my son his life for trying something other children are doing. Please talk to your children about the consequences of this. I can’t understand why anyone would try to do this.”
This is not the first tragic incident stemming from this particular challenge. Another girl, Esra Haynes, 13, died in the same way.
Rest in peace, Tommie.