An 11-year-old boy has died after a TikTok trend went tragically wrong, his mum has said. Tommie-Lee Billington was found unresponsive at a friend’s house in Lancaster on Saturday. He was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead shortly afterwards.
His heartbroken grandmother, Tina, has since said that he died while attempting a TikTok challenge – chroming.
Also known as huffing, chroming is inhaling toxic chemicals to create a temporary high. It is done using things like paint, aerosol cans and glue.
There has been a rise in Gen Z experimenting with solvent abuse as it becomes trendy on social media.
It can cause loss of consciousness, potentially fatal asphyxiation, and heart attacks. It is potentially deadly, having killed a British 14-year-old girl in 2022 and an Australian 13-year-old girl in 2023.
Tina told the Sun: “He died instantly. The boys had tried the TikTok craze. Tommie-lee went into cardiac arrest immediately and died right there and then.
“The hospital did everything to try and bring him back but nothing worked. He was gone. He had a heart of gold just like his dad. Our family is utterly devastated.”
Tommie-Lee’’s mum Sherri said that the trend cost her her son’s life and begged other parents to not let their children use the app.
She posted on Facebook: “This cost my son his life from trying something other kids are doing. Please talk to your children about the consequences of this. It is beyond me why anyone would even try this! It’s so dangerous!”
The schoolboy, from Lancaster, was described as the “life and soul of any room”.
Tina said: “We don’t want any other children be on social media. In fact, we want to get TikTok taken down and no children to be allowed on any social media under 16 years of age.
“This is breaking us all but we want to help save other children’s lives and give families awareness to keep their children safe.”
Lancashire Police have launched an investigation and are treating Tommie’s death as unexplained.
A police force spokesman said: “The death is currently being treated as unexplained and the coroner has been informed.
“A police investigation is ongoing and the boy’s family are being supported by officers. Our thoughts are with the boy’s loved ones at this incredibly sad time.
Stephen Ream, director of the Re-Solv charity, warned youngsters against ‘chroming’, adding: “Crazes or challenges seem to flare up locally and a friendship group might have a go, then some people find they like it and carry on inhaling secretly.
“It’s very dangerous. It’s flammable so there’s always a risk of fire, but the real risk is death because the heart goes into an irregular beat and then stops.”
The Express contacted TikTok for comment.
