Harry, 17, was a victim of the Ecstasy 'lottery' an inquest hears

The life or death lottery of taking the drug Ecstasy was graphically spelled out at an inquest on a teenaged victim in Preston.
Harry Flood could not be revived after he fell ill at party.Harry Flood could not be revived after he fell ill at party.
Harry Flood could not be revived after he fell ill at party.

Harry Flood, 17, had a cardiac arrest while others at the party in Fulwood suffered no ill effects, a coroner was told.

And an emergency department consultant at the Royal Preston Hospital issued a chilling warning about the illegal stimulant - also called MDMA - which can randomly kill some and leave others unscathed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dr Jonathan Whittaker said: “There are some people who take it over a period of years and come to no harm. But there are some people who can take one tablet and come to grief. No-one knows why that occurs.

The house in Garstang Road, Fulwood where Harry took the drug MDMA.The house in Garstang Road, Fulwood where Harry took the drug MDMA.
The house in Garstang Road, Fulwood where Harry took the drug MDMA.

“Sometimes it can be a feeling of euphoria and enjoying yourself. But no-one really understands why it can take another path and become life-threatening.”

Harry died despite desperate attempts by friends, neighbours, paramedics and A&E staff to save his life. Dr Whittaker said that in A&E: “It became very clear that any further resuscitation was futile and there was no hope of recovery.”

Toxicology tests later showed he had high levels of MDMA in his system, as well as a small amount of alcohol and evidence of cannabis use.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Recording a conclusion of “misadventure,” coroner Richard Taylor said the effect the drug had on Harry had been “devastating.”

He heard how he and a group of friends were partying at his home in Garstang Road in June last year. It was claimed another teenager had gone out on a motorbike to buy the drugs from a dealer near to the city’s railway station.

A girl later told police she had seen Harry and another youth trying to crush up a large crystal of MDNA in the kitchen. He then put a teaspoon of the powder into his drink. After a while she noticed a change in Harry.

“His face was bright red, he seemed very hot and he said he felt sick,” she said in a statement. “He was slurring his words and getting quite angry. He was shaking and at that point he started to fit.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another said: “Harry was very warm, he was acting strangely, his emotions kept changing very quickly. He was sweating and struggling to breathe.”

A neighbour was summoned and he called 999. But when paramedics arrived they found Harry had suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite CPR at the address and en route to the hospital they could not save him.

Det Sgt Loretta Munden, who was part of the team investigating Harry’s death, said a large number of people had been spoken to and the possibility of a prosecution was considered. But the Crown Prosecution Service “decided there was not enough evidence to charge anyone with an offence.”

The cause of Harry’s death was given as MDMA toxicity. Coroner Mr Taylor said: “Young people would have been having a good time. However illegal drugs were purchased, were shared and were taken.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It is not known how much Harry himself was taking, however toxicology showed the amount in his system would prove fatal.”

He said the medical evidence showed MDMA could have a “devastating” effect on someone if they reacted in that way.

“The ambulance service did what they could, the hospital did what they could. But they were (all) unable to save his life.”

It is thanks to our loyal readers that we can continue to provide the trusted news, analysis and insight that matters to you. For unlimited access to our unrivalled local reporting, you can take out a subscription here and help support the work of our dedicated team of reporters.