Child dies playing choking game at Nieuwegein secondary school
A student of the Anna van Rijn College in Nieuwegein died this week while playing a choking game, the school announced in a letter to parents and guardians that RTV Utrecht has seen. The police said that there were no indications of a crime being committed and spoke of a “tragic incident.”
The school announced on Tuesday that one of its students had died in a fatal accident. On Thursday, the school informed parents and guardians about what happened, at the request of the child’s parents.
During a choking game, children suffocate themselves or each other by pinching a carotid artery. The idea is to let go just before someone loses consciousness, resulting in a euphoric rush that can be addictive. The suicide prevention center, 113 Zelfmoordpreventie, warns that the game is extremely dangerous and can cause brain damage and death.
The child who died was a 3 VWO student at the Anna van Rijn College. According to the school, the parents asked that the cause of death be shared. “They think it is important to warn other parents and to draw attention to the life-threatening risks of this or similar challenges.”
School director Wouter Luckel told RTV Utrecht that everyone at the school is shocked. “It is a very sad event. All that remains is for us to do the things we have to do in the best possible way. And I think that we have managed to do that together,” he said.
The school sent information to the parents on how they can discuss what happened with their children and warn against the dangers of the choking game. It is also offering extra support to the students and parents. A memorial was set up at school where students can express their condolences if they wish.
