A tragic accident occurred at the Oxford Medical Center in Troy, Michigan, where 5-year-old Thomas Cooper lost his life after the hyperbaric oxygen chamber he was treated in exploded. The incident happened around 8 a.m. on January 31, 2025, leaving behind grieving family, including Thomas's mother who was nearby and sustained injuries to her arms as the explosion occurred. Lt. Ben Hancock of the Troy Police Department confirmed, "The mother of the child suffered some injuries to her arms as she was standing right next to the chamber as the explosion occurred." Sadly, Thomas was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of the explosion remains under investigation, with officials stating no such incident had happened at the facility throughout its 15 years of operation. The Oxford Medical Center specializes in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which involves administering pure oxygen at higher-than-normal pressures to treat various medical conditions. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can treat serious ailments like decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, and tissue damage from radiation therapy.
According to Troy Fire Lt. Keith Young, the heightened oxygen levels and pressure within these chambers create significant risks. He noted, "The presence of such a high amount of oxygen in a pressurized environment can make it extremely combustible." Young explained, "We did some initial investigation. This is very uncommon, so we’re not sure what led up to it." Fortunately, the explosion was limited to the chamber itself, with firefighters quickly extinguishing the subsequent fire on site.
The incident has raised alarm among patients and caregivers, underscoring the importance of safety protocols concerning hyperbaric chambers. Christian Bogner, who served as the medical director at the Oxford Recovery Center before moving on to his own practice, commented on the need for parents to thoroughly research facilities before treatment. He stated, "I encourage all parents and caregivers to thoroughly research and vet any facility before pursuing treatments for their loved ones." He stressed the importance of adhering to safety standards as investigations continue.
The family has retained Fieger Law to represent them during this difficult time. James Harrington, managing partner at Fieger Law, expressed his condolences, saying, "This is an unimaginable tragedy, and our hearts are with the family as they navigate this immeasurable loss." He assured the public and media of their commitment to investigate every aspect of the tragedy and emphasized, "The safety of children should always be the top priority." On top of the tragedy, families who have been drawn to help the Cooper family have set up fundraising efforts, with GoFundMe donations continuing to roll in.
While the FDA has cleared hyperbaric chambers for limited conditions—specifically 13 disorders—many unaccredited facilities, including the Oxford Center, have been known to list over 100 conditions treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. This discrepancy has raised questions about the oversight of such treatments. The FDA warns against using non-accredited facilities due to risks—including reported instances of explosions and fires.
Further complicate the situation is the statement from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), which clarified state law does not mandate hyperbaric oxygen facilities to be licensed or regulated by LARA. The Oxford Center, opened in 2008, has been conducting operations without this regulation. The repercussions of this incident extend not just to the Cooper family, but potentially to oversight practices and regulations across Michigan, where only two accredited centers exist, located far from Troy.
The Oxford Center has expressed its sorrow through public statements amid the continuous investigations. They stated, "This is an exceptionally difficult day for all of us… The safety and wellbeing of the children we serve is our highest priority. Nothing like this has happened in our more than 15 years of providing this type of therapy." Such statements indicate the center's commitment to cooperation with authorities to seek answers.
Social workers from the Oakland Community Health Network aim to support emergency personnel and medical staff affected by the harrowing event, recognizing the trauma from witnessing such tragedy at the center. The loss of young Thomas, described by loved ones as energetic and full of life, has left the community shaken.
Thomas loved outdoor activities, video games, and had ambitious plans for the future, making his passing even more inconceivable.
Local community involvement has been highlighted through numerous initiatives aimed at supporting the Cooper family, with many expressing sorrow for the incident. The GoFundMe campaign has raised over $10,000 within 24 hours, reflecting the outpouring of sympathy and the urgent desire to help this grieving family cope with their devastating loss.
Thomas Cooper’s untimely passing has brought together realms of advocacy, concern for medical safety, and community love—an all too familiar call for examination of practices to protect children and families receiving medical care.