By Mikayla van Loon
A Don Valley family is mourning the death of a much-loved daughter and sister after a chroming incident left her in a critical condition in hospital where she later died.
Esra Haynes, 13, died last weekend following the inhalation of deodorant which saw her go into cardiac arrest and battle in hospital for a week.
The death of the Lilydale High School Year 8 student has sent ripples of shock and emotion throughout the Yarra Ranges community.
Parents Paul and Andrea Haynes told the Herald Sun just days after their daughter’s passing they would vow to raise awareness around the risks of chroming.
“We want to help other children not fall into the silly trap of doing this silly thing,” he said.
“It’s unquestionable that this will be our crusade. No matter how much you lead a horse to water, anyone can drag them away. It’s not something she would have done on her own.”
In the days following, Esra’s siblings have also told news outlets they would be honouring their sister by ensuring no one else has to go through their pain.
“It’s just a toxic thing and I just want to put awareness out there that it can happen very quickly and we don’t want to lose anymore amazing people,” Esra’s brother Seth Haynes told The Project.
“When we’re strong enough, we want to go around and talk at schools and tell our story of what we went through, if we can help one person that’s enough,” sister Imogen Haynes said.
As friends and family came to terms with Esra’s sudden death, they took to social media to pay tribute to the girl she was.
“The one girl who could put a smile on anyone’s face no matter what. There wasn’t one day in the past three years you’ve not made my day by your contagious laugh and gorgeous smile,” Esra’s best friend Abbey posted to Facebook.
“My heart aches and it doesn’t feel real knowing I’ll have to say goodbye to you Esra. You’re so young. You were gone too soon.
“I’ll stay trying to make you proud and continue doing the things that made you happy. I endlessly love and miss you Esra. Rest In Paradise my love. Forever 13.”
Described by her sister as someone who was “blooming”, Imogen told Channel Nine she was “so kind, generous, helped everyone before herself always, she’s just one in a million”.
As a sporty teenager who had competed in aerobic state championships and had been named captain of her Montrose Football Club Under 14s team in the 2023 season, Imogen said she was “our little AFL girl”.
“We reckon she would have gone far in footy, she just kicked up this year and if she kept playing the way she was, she would have definitely gone far,” Imogen said in an interview.
Heartbroken by the news, Montrose Football Netball Club took to social media to share their condolences.
“Esra came to our club last year, she played in the Under 12 Girls team where she fitted in seamlessly,” it read.
“In her short time at the club, Esra went from strength to strength as a leader on the field, and at training.
“Esra was determined, fun, cheeky and talented, she will be greatly missed by her teammates, coaches, and the wider community of our Club.”
Since her death, a GoFundMe page has been established by Joanne Semmens to support the Haynes family.
“I would like her family to have some stress taken off them at this horrible time. Everyone feels helpless in these circumstances but being able to donate some money can help the community give something to the family,” Joanne wrote.
Within days, the fundraiser exceeded its original $5000 target, which was then extended to $10,000, that too being reached by Friday afternoon.
To locate the fundraiser, go to www.gofundme.com/f/esra-haynes-memory
