Unkind thoughts

Okay, I admit it, I felt dreadful for thinking it. The story that prompted it was in today's Daily Telegraph:

Two university students were found dead inside a large, deflated helium balloon after apparently pulling it down and crawling inside it, officials said. The deaths of Jason Ackerman and Sara Rydman, both 21, appeared accidental, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Major Bob Schrader said.

Of course, you have to wonder what they were thinking - and if it were me, it would have had something to do with plans to inhale the helium and speak in high squeaky voices. (Not that I would ever condone it!)

A quick Google search reveals that this might not have been too far off the mark. A CBS News Report states:

"It was more a fun thing they thought they were doing," said Linda Rydman, mother of Sara Rydman, adding that the two were apparently breathing helium from the balloon to make their voices go higher.

But the U.S. Compressed Gas Association warned that inhaling helium is dangerous because it can quickly lead to brain damage and death from lack of oxygen.

The county medical examiner said Sunday the official cause of death will not be released for six weeks, until toxicology results come back.