Courtesy Of The Evening Gazette Sep 27 2006
A 15-year-old schoolboy died after taking an overdose of ecstasy, a Teesside inquest heard.
Josh Butler, of Firbeck Walk, Thornaby, died on March 25, despite efforts to resuscitate him.
The hearing in Middlesbrough heard that the teenager had taken an excessive amount of the drug and did not appear to be aware of the consequences.
A man has been charged in connection with supplying the drug and is due to appear at Teesside Crown Court next month.
Josh was spotted unconscious in the entrance hall of Hudson House flats in Thornaby, surrounded by a group of others, by security guard Geoffrey Walker via CCTV.
Mr Walker called for an ambulance and the schoolboy was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he was pronounced dead.
Mr Walker said Josh was with a group of men including Lee Dawson who lived in the flats.
Lee Dawson’s girlfriend Pamela Green told police the group arrived at their flat and appeared to be under the influence of drugs.
Home office pathologist Dr William Lawler said toxicology results had found Josh had taken around four times the amount of ecstasy than was usually taken recreationally.
This would have caused an irregular heartbeat resulting in death.
Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield described Josh’s death as a “tragic situation”.
“Josh clearly did not realise how much people who use ecstasy usually take. Quite clearly he did not realise what taking this excessive amount what do to him.”
Mr Sheffield recorded a verdict of misadventure.