In an effort to save others the same “gut-wrenching” anguish, the family of a 13-year-old Melbourne girl who died in a chroming incident wants young people to be informed of the risks of the deadly practise.
Esra Haynes, a year 8 pupil, passed away on Saturday following a cardiac arrest brought on by breathing hazardous substances.
After taking part in the murderous deed at a friend’s house, her family claims she spent an additional week and a half battling for her life in the hospital.
Chroming, also known as huffing, is the practise of inhaling metallic paints, solvents, fuel, aerosol cans and other similar household chemicals that act as depressants, slowing down signals between the body and brain and producing the impression of a fleeting ‘high’.
Imogen Haynes, the sister of the Lilydale High School student, described receiving the news from their mother as “gut-wrenching.”
“(Esra) was just at her friend’s house, it was a normal night,” Imogen told 7NEWS.
“She became unconscious after inhaling the aerosol can and went into cardiac arrest.
“She then spent about 1.5 weeks in hospital fighting for her life, her lungs and her heart were strong but her brain just didn’t recover. We unfortunately had to say goodbye to her.”
The 13-year-old was the youngest sibling in her family, which has remembered her as “the most beautiful soul”.
“(She was) so kind, generous, helped everyone before herself always,” Imogen said, adding that her sister did not have any faults.
Imogen said the family had struggled through “one of the hardest weeks and a half of our lives”.
“It was such a rollercoaster in hospital,” she said.
“She fought as hard as she possibly could.”
Esra’s school is providing support for her peers and teachers.
In time, her family hopes to return to the school and talk about the dangers of chroming.
“We definitely have a mission to raise awareness for kids and anyone that does it,” Imogen said.
“We don’t want that to happen to anyone else. We don’t want another family to go through this, it’s absolutely horrible.”
Brother Seth Haynes added: “I just want to put awareness out there that it can happen very quickly, and we don’t want to lose any more amazing people.”
Esra was a dancer and a BMX rider in addition to being co-captain of the under-14 girls football squad at the Montrose Football Netball Club.
Following her passing, tributes have flooded in, with friends and family remembering the adolescent as a friend who was always happy.
“The one girl who could put a smile on anyone’s face no matter what. There wasn’t one day in the past three years you’ve not made my day by your contagious laugh and gorgeous smile,” friend Abbey Passick wrote on Facebook.
“My heart aches and it doesn’t feel real knowing I’ll have to say goodbye to you, Esra. (You’re) so young. You (were) gone (too) soon.
“I’ll stay trying to make you proud. And continue doing the things that made you happy. I endlessly love and miss you, Esra.”
The Montrose Football Netball Club also posted an emotional message following news of Esra’s death.
“(The club) is heartbroken at the news of the passing of one of our own, Esra Haynes,” the club wrote on its Facebook page.
“Esra came to our club last year, she played in the under-12 girls team where she fitted in seamlessly.
“In her short time at the club, Esra went from strength to strength as a leader on the field, and at training.
“Esra was determined, fun, cheeky and talented, she will be greatly missed by her teammates, coaches, and the wider community of our club.”
