Â鶹ӰÊÓ

Skip to main content

U.S. teen dies after participating in 'One Chip Challenge,' police say

Share
WORCESTER, Mass. -

A school in Worcester, Mass., is mourning the sudden death of one of its students.

Police said Harris Wolobah, who was a 14-year-old 10th-grade student at Doherty Memorial High School, died on the same day that he participated in the viral social media trend known as the "One Chip Challenge."

That challenge, which the Paqui brand debuted in 2016, involves eating what is claimed to be one of the spiciest tortilla chips in the world. Paqui chips are made by Amplify Snack Brands, Inc., a subsidiary of The Hershey Company.

Investigators said it appears Wolobah ate the chip Friday and died later that day. Authorities said it remains unclear if the food contributed to his death.

Wolobah's family said he was at school when he ate the chip and went to the nurse's office before going home.

The family said that Wolobah fainted shortly after arriving at his house. First responders were called to the home and rushed him to a local hospital, where he ultimately died.

"As a mother and educator, I cannot imagine how hard this is on his family, friends and teachers. My heart goes out to all who knew and loved him," Rachel Monarrez, superintendent of Worcester Public Schools, said in a statement.

"He was the kind of kid who would work really hard," said Douglas Hill, Wolobah's basketball coach for the St. Bernard's Church team. "I feel for the family. I feel for him, and this is just one of those situations where it's not his fault."

A warning on the Paqui website states that people who partake in the One Chip Challenge should seek medical assistance if they experience difficulty breathing, fainting or extended nausea.

Dr. Lauren Rice, chief of pediatric emergency medicine at Tufts Medical Center, said when someone ingests something that spicy, it can cause side effects that range from mouth or lip burning to heart issues.

"Sometimes, we see people with a lot of chest pain, or they'll experience palpitations, as well," Rice said.

NewsCenter 5 contacted Paqui about the incident, but has yet to receive a reply.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is now working to determine the cause of Wolobah's death.

The district is working with the school to provide grief support to students and staff who knew Wolobah.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

The British Columbia election campaign is set to officially start today, with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin issuing the writ for the Oct. 19 vote.

A northern Ontario man is facing a $12,000 fine after illegally shooting a moose near the Batchawan River.

Unusual flippered feet are making their way into the Saint Lawrence River this weekend. Led by underwater explorer and filmmaker Nathalie Lasselin, volunteer divers are combing the riverbed near Beauharnois in Montérégie to remove hundreds of tires that have been polluting the aquatic environment for decades.

A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.

Local Spotlight

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.