Australian journalist Ally Langdon recently shared a heartfelt conversation with Andrea and Paul Haynes, who faced the unimaginable decision of saying goodbye to their 13-year-old daughter, Esra, after a tragic incident. Esra fell victim to a dangerous social media trend known as “chroming,” which involves inhaling toxic chemicals to experience a temporary high.
Appearing on A Current Affair, the Haynes family recounted their heartbreaking story. Esra, a vibrant young athlete described as “determined, fun, cheeky, and talented,” tragically passed away after experimenting with chroming during a sleepover. She inhaled aerosol deodorant, which led to cardiac arrest and irreversible brain damage.
Esra’s parents were devastated when they received the late-night call every parent dreads. They rushed to the hospital, hoping for a miracle, but after eight days on life support, they had to make the painful decision to let their daughter go.
Langdon, a mother herself, struggled to hold back tears as she listened to Andrea and Paul recount their experience. The Haynes family now seeks to raise awareness about the dangers of chroming, urging parents to educate their children about the risks associated with this hazardous trend.
Paul expressed his wish that they had known about chroming earlier, so they could have discussed the dangers with Esra. The family is now dedicated to spreading awareness and helping other parents prevent similar tragedies.
Since 2009, chroming has claimed the lives of several young people across Australia and around the world. The Haynes family hopes that by sharing their story, they can save lives by encouraging open conversations between parents and their children about the dangers of this deadly trend.
Our hearts go out to the Haynes family and all those affected by Esra’s passing. Please share this story to help raise awareness and protect our children from the risks of chroming.