A 14-year-old boy, Harris Wolobah, has tragically lost his life after participating in the viral One Chip Challenge. The challenge, which gained popularity on social media, involves consuming an extremely spicy tortilla chip made from Carolina Reaper, one of the world's hottest chili peppers.
According to Gofundme.com Harris was given the chip by a classmate and consumed it. Shortly after, he began experiencing severe stomach pains, prompting a call to his mother. Although he initially felt better at home, he later collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy is pending to determine if the chip was a contributing factor to his death. Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Rachel Monárrez expressed her condolences, stating,
"It is with a heavy heart I share that we lost a rising star, Harris Wolobah, who was a sophomore scholar at Doherty Memorial High School."
The challenge has been banned in several U.S. schools due to its dangerous nature, leading to hospitalizations. Despite the warnings, Paqui, the company behind the One Chip Challenge, continues to release a new version of the chip each year. They have stated that the challenge is intended for adults only.
In the wake of this tragic event, a GoFundMe campaign has been set up to help Harris's family with funeral expenses. The fundraiser stated,
"Our family is planning to lay Harris to rest in the coming weeks, so I’m hoping that with the help of this compassionate community, we can raise enough funds to alleviate the burden of funeral expenses for his parents and siblings during this incredibly difficult time."
