19 Jun 2023

Boy dies after being seen huffing in Hamilton on weekend

3:28 pm on 19 June 2023
Wellington free ambulance

Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski

A 12-year-old boy died suddenly after inhaling deodorant from a can in Hamilton at the weekend.

The coroner said the boy was huffing with two friends at a bus stop in Tasman Road on Saturday night, and was told off by a member of the public.

He ran across the road while still huffing and collapsed.

The coroner said members of the public and ambulance staff tried to help the boy but he could not be revived.