Man dies after sniffing butane

A Hamilton man has died after inhaling the contents of a butane canister, police said today.

Ambulance and police were called to the home of Nicholas Grant Baxter, 23, after he collapsed and began frothing at the mouth.

Family members told police the dead man had been abusing solvents, including butane, for the last three weeks, Senior Sergeant Graham Shields said.

At the time of his death Mr Baxter had been sniffing butane while watching a movie in the lounge.

Mr Shields said family members attempted to revive him using CPR but were unsuccessful.

- NZPA