Daily Mail

Boy, 12, killed playing online choking ‘game’

- By Sian Boyle

A BOY of 12 has died after taking part in an internet craze called the ‘choking game’.

Karnel Haughton may be one of the youngest victims of the practice, which involves intentiona­lly restrictin­g the oxygen reaching the brain to try to achieve euphoria.

However, although it is also known as ‘the good boys’ game’ because it involves no alcohol or drugs, it can cause seizures, brain damage and death.

It is believed that Karnel, from Birmingham, tried it out in his bedroom on Wednesday afternoon while his mother Gemma Haughton, 31, was buying a takeaway.

She discovered him when she returned. He was taken to hospital but doctors were unable to save him.

Last night it was still unclear whether Karnel had been playing the ‘game’ alone or with friends. West Midlands Police are treating his death as unexplaine­d.

A family friend said: ‘It was his mum who found him at home. But we don’t know if it was Karnel doing it to himself or not.

‘His mum had only popped out for five minutes to go and get fish and chips for tea. Counsellor­s will be going into his school tomorrow to talk to the children and see what they know.’

Variations of the choking game – also known as pass out, knockout game, tap out or space monkey – have been passed around the playground for generation­s. But the internet has meant that the craze has spread more rapidly among young people all over the world.

Video-sharing site YouTube and Facebook have both been accused of encouragin­g it, with teenagers posting videos while clamour- ing for ‘likes’ and compliment­s on how well they carry out the practice.

Countering these videos are dozens which aim to raise awareness of the dangers and warn children and teenagers against attempting it.

A family friend of the Houghtons said that Karnel had dreamed of becoming a fire- fighter, and described him as ‘such a witty and happy young boy [who] had a brilliant relationsh­ip with everybody’.

The friend added: ‘He was really close to his brother and sister as well. He was a popular lad at school with a lot of friends. He was such an active boy, and he loved his boxing.

‘Only the other day, Karnel was saying about how he wanted to be a firefighte­r or a pilot when he got older.’

She added that friends of the family were raising money for a funeral for Karnel.

Last year 14-year- old Jack Pickles, from Todmorden, West Yorkshire, died in his bed after trying out the choking game, having been inspired by posts on Facebook and YouTube. He was found by his mother Selina Booth. She said at the time: ‘They call it the “good boys’ game” because it’s not taking drugs or alcohol. They actually think it’s not going to harm them.’

And in a moving warning to youngsters, she added: ‘Do you want it to be your mum who hugs clothes that you’re not in any more just to smell you? Do you want your mum to ask your mates around so she feels that little bit closer to you?’

The exact number of fatalities from the choking game are uncertain because deaths are often misrecorde­d as suicide when the victim had no intention of killing themselves.

But seven British children are believed to have died in the past six years, while the US government has previously estimated that it kills more than six children a year.

An American study from 2006 found that a fifth of 18-yearolds had tried the craze, which is most popular in 13-year-olds and practised mostly among nine to 21-year-olds.

‘They think it won’t harm them’

 ??  ?? Karnel Haughton: Found by his mother
Karnel Haughton: Found by his mother

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