The 5-year-old boy who died Friday after a hyperbaric chamber exploded at a Troy Medical Center has been identified by his family.Five-year-old Thomas Cooper was identified by lawyers representing the family. According to a GoFundMe organized in memory of Thomas, the boy loved life. Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.comThe descriptions of Thomas, written by a member […]
The 5-year-old boy who died Friday after a hyperbaric chamber exploded at a Troy Medical Center has been identified by his family.Five-year-old Thomas Cooper was identified by lawyers representing the family. According to a GoFundMe organized in memory of Thomas, the boy loved life.
Contact Liam Rappleye: LRappleye@freepress.comThe descriptions of Thomas, written by a member of the family, paint a portrait of a happy, curious child.Andrew Kistner, a spokesperson for The Oxford Center, also said the cause of the explosion was unknown.The day Thomas’ hyperbaric chamber exploded, he was looking forward to playing a new Nintendo DS game his father had got for him as a reward for trying new foods. He also hoped to spend his red pocket money — a gift typically given around Chinese New Year representing good luck — with his little brother.Our initial reporting:Boy dies in explosion of hyperbaric chamber at Troy medical facility
“He was the smartest and cutest kid that liked to zoom, zoom, zoom,” the post reads. “He asked to see pictures of germs, liked to know how things worked, he liked to make field journals and he had finally started adding facial features to his people drawings.”He died in the explosion at The Oxford Center, a medical center that provides therapy for children with such health conditions as autism, cancer, ADHD and autoimmune diseases, according to its website.
The explosion happened around 8 a.m. Friday, police said. The boy was found dead inside the chamber.More details:What is a hyperbaric chamber? What to know after explosion killed boy in Michigan
Troy Fire Lt. Keith Young said investigators haven’t yet discovered what caused the explosion, but said concentrated oxygen — which is pumped into the high-pressure chamber — is fuel for fire.Thomas, tragically, did not get to spend the money.“This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts are with the family as they navigate this immeasurable loss,” said James Harrington, managing partner of Fieger Law in a statement.
The high-powered metro Detroit law firm is also representing the boy’s mother, who was also injured in the blast.Thomas was fascinated by nature and video games: “Minecraft was his life … He loved his Nintendo DS.”Citing concerns about the oversight and regulations of hyperbaric chambers, Fieger Law announced Saturday that it has been retained by Thomas’ family.”He loved life. He loved running and swimming. He was planning to try mountain BMX racing and karate in the summer,” the GoFundMe reads.”He placed (his red pocket) underneath his pillow and declared ‘he’d have the best luck ever!’ ” The GoFundMe reads. “The day of his passing was the day he was planning to spend his red pocket with his little brother.”As of Saturday at 2 p.m., the fundraiser has generated more than ,000.