The 5-year-old boy who died after a hyperbaric chamber exploded has been identified.
Lawyers representing the child’s family have identified the victim killed in the explosion as Thomas Cooper, according to the Detroit Free Press and CBS affiliate WWJ-TV.
Authorities previously said the child was in a hyperbaric chamber at The Oxford Center in Troy, Mich., when the explosion occurred just before 8 a.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 31.
As of Tuesday, Feb. 4, about $50,000 has been raised through a GoFundMe campaign started for Thomas’ family following the child’s sudden death.
“His family loved him very much,” wrote Annie Cooper, who organized the online fundraiser. “He was a smart, intelligent boy and his parents loved him how he was. He was perfect in every way. He was the best, best boy there ever was.”
Thomas Cooper.
gofundme
Thomas’ mother was standing near the hyperbaric chamber when the explosion occurred, Troy Police Department Lt. Ben Hancock said in the press conference on Friday.
The young boy loved to sing “I love mama” and would say “my momma is the best in the whole world,” according to the GoFundMe page.
“He wanted to grow up to be a chef,” Annie wrote. “His mom asked him why and he said, ‘so I can be with mommy forever.’ “
The boy’s family has since hired Fieger Law to represent them, according to the Detroit Free Press and WWJ-TV.
“This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts are with the family as they navigate this immeasurable loss,” James Harrington, managing partner of Fieger Law, said in a statement.
