Teen's attempt 'to avoid detection' at music festival led to overdose death
A 19-year-old woman who died after an MDMA overdose took up to three pills in close proximity to avoid detection by police, a Sydney inquest has heard.
Alexandra Ross-King's death is one of six at NSW music festivals between December 2017 and January 2019 being examined at an inquest before Deputy State Coroner Harriet Grahame.
Nathan Tran, Diana Nguyen, Joseph Pham, Callum Brosnan and Joshua Tam, who also died after consuming illicit drugs in hot weather, were all aged between 18 and 23.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Peggy Dwyer, said autopsy reports indicated all six died as a result of MDMA toxicity or complications from MDMA use.
They also exhibited soaring body temperatures - above 41C in some cases - respiratory problems, muscle and jaw spasms, out-of-character aggression and cardiac arrests.
Dr Dwyer said Mr Brosnan took six to nine capsules before collapsing at Sydney Olympic Park train station after attending the Knockout Games of Destiny.
Ms Ross-King consumed two half-pills on her journey from the Central Coast in a mini bus to Parramatta Park earlier this year and two more pills upon her arrival.
"The January FOMO festival involved an unusual pattern of consumption for her," Dr Dwyer said at the NSW Coroners Court in Lidcombe on Monday.
"She told her friends that because she was nervous about being caught by the police, she took the drugs at once like that."
The inquest will attempt to identify the common themes as to the cause of deaths and lessons as to how they might have been prevented.
In each instance the coroner will consider whether medical treatment and subsequent transfer was adequate and appropriate, and if effective harm minimisation strategies were in place at the festivals.
NSW's chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant is expected to give evidence that there has been a recent, substantial increase in drug-related harms associated with a small number of the state's music festivals.
Further experts will be called to testify about shade tents and cool down areas, access to water, information and peer support, law enforcement and drug checking - also known as pill testing.
"In this courtroom there is no judgment of the young people themselves," Dr Dwyer said.
"These six young people were beautiful souls who have been lost to us. Without exception, they were talented, social and community-minded."
Their deaths came as an incredible shock to their parents who were not aware of their child's interest in drugs, she said.
Ms Grahame offered her condolences to the families of the deceased.
"They could be any young people who go to music festivals and partake in drugs as many young people do," she said.
"These are our young people ... and we owe them a proper investigation of the circumstances in which they died."
At least four families will read tributes to their lost loved ones on Monday afternoon.
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