Man died after inhaling helium, inquest hears

A MAN found lifeless in his bedroom with a plastic bag around his head died of asphyxiation after inhaling helium, a gas commonly used for blowing up balloons.

Originally from Hong Kong, Yan Fai Lam, 40, of Corn Exchange Building, Poolbeg Street, Dublin 2, was found unresponsive by a friend and flatmate Declan Kearney on July 1, 2010, an inquest heard yesterday.

There was a plastic bag around his neck and a hose in the bag was attached to a helium cylinder.