(DailyVantage.com) – A tragic explosion at a hyperbaric chamber in Troy, Michigan, claimed the life of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper, prompting legal proceedings.
At a Glance
- Four individuals were arrested in connection with the hyperbaric chamber explosion.
- The explosion, which killed Thomas Cooper, occurred at the Oxford Medical Center.
- Facility owner, Tamela Peterson, faces charges including second-degree murder.
- A GoFundMe campaign for the Cooper family has raised over $67,000.
Incident Details
A hyperbaric chamber explosion at the Oxford Medical Center in Troy, Michigan, on January 31 resulted in the death of 5-year-old Thomas Cooper. Four individuals, including Tamela Peterson, the founder and CEO of the center, were arrested and face charges like second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Thomas, receiving treatment for sleep apnea and ADHD, lost his life despite his mother’s attempts to save him.
Hyperbaric chambers are pressurized spaces designed for medical treatments involving high oxygen levels, which also make them highly combustible. The local fire department confirmed the risks associated with such environments. Amidst investigations, questions about safety protocols and potential negligence at the facility continue to arise.
Police arrest 4 in connection to hyperbaric chamber fire that killed 5-year-old Michigan boy: report https://t.co/JSVh8zxGzS
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 11, 2025
Legal and Community Response
Authorities are scrutinizing the Oxford Center for possible safety protocol violations. Peterson and others involved in the management face severe charges, igniting debates about regulatory standards in Michigan’s hyperbaric treatment industry. The Cooper family’s attorney, James Harrington, criticized the lack of regulatory oversight and hinted at systemic issues.
James Harrington said, “Under no circumstances … should anything ever like this happen and the only way this happens is negligence”.
The Oxford Center expressed disappointment over the incident, citing incomplete protocols often followed after fire-related catastrophes as charges were filed against them. James Harrington affirmed that exhaustive investigations would follow to prevent future tragedies, aiming to address essential safety enhancements in such establishments.
Police in Michigan have arrested four people after a 5-year-old boy receiving treatment at The Oxford Center died when the hyperbaric chamber he was in exploded. https://t.co/1Px3cMXH1g pic.twitter.com/fqxRvBk7qg
— Patriot Pointman (@patriotpointman) March 11, 2025
Community Support and Legacy
Thomas’s family launched a GoFundMe, receiving immense community support with donations exceeding $67,000. The young boy’s tragic passing touched many hearts, as he was cherished by family and educators as “curious, energetic, smart, outgoing, and thoughtful.” His burial took place on February 13, leaving a profound impact on all who knew him.
Thomas Cooper’s obituary states, “was known to all his friends, family, and teachers as a curious, energetic, smart, outgoing, and thoughtful little boy” .
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the safety of hyperbaric treatments beyond specific FDA-cleared conditions. This tragic event also brings attention to the limitations and risks involved in alternative therapy centers and the urgent need for enhanced regulations and oversight in these facilities.
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