Forced fainting may have caused William Stanesby's death
Comments |
by Alan Smith
ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk
A dangerous craze for forced fainting could have caused the
death of a talented 12-year-old, an inquest heard.
Straight A pupil William Stanesby was discovered by his mother
Sabrina at their home in Holmewood Ridge, Langton Green, with his
school tie anchored around a cupboard door-handle. He had fallen
forward on to his knees.
Investigating officer Insp Simon Davey said it was possible he
had "been experimenting in some way" possibly in something called
the fainting game.
Pathologist Dr Simon Poole told an inquest in Tunbridge Wells
that William had been in better than average health; he had not
taken alcohol and there were no injuries to suggest anyone else had
been involved in his death.
On discovering her son in the early evening of Thursday, June
23, Mrs Stanesby had used scissors to cut the tie securing him to
the door-handle and then tried to resuscitate him.
She called her husband David Stanesby who also tried to
resuscitate his son before paramedics arrived.
William, a student at The Judd School in Tonbridge, died in the
Kent and Sussex Hospital a short time later.
Investigating officer Insp Simon Davey said William was a happy
child with many friends and a number of activities planned for the
weeks ahead.
There was no suggestion of any bullying and no evidence to
suggest that William intended to take his own life.
He said research with colleagues in other forces had revealed 11
other cases where children had died possibly because of the
fainting game.
The 'game’, also known as the choking game, sees people
intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain with the goal of
inducing temporary euphoria.
Coroner Roger Hatch said: "There are a number of possibilities
as to how the death came about. Therefore I record an open
verdict."
In a statement released after the inquest, William's parents
said their son set his own goals and strived continuously to
achieve them.
"He sought fun, adventure and laughter and achieved more in his
tragically shortened life than many achieve in a whole
lifetime.
"We were and still are proud of him and miss him terribly," they
added.
Friday, September 23 2011
The KM Group does not moderate comments.
Please click here for our house rules.