UK student dies using two to three 'big bottles' of laughing gas daily

An inquiry into the death of a student potentially caused by prolonged laughing gas use revealed that she was inhaling two to three "large bottles" of the substance daily, as reported by The Independent.

According to the Berkshire coroner’s court, Ellen Mercer, aged 24, sought medical assistance from emergency services in the early hours of February 9 last year due to her inability to walk without falling over. She received medical treatment at Wexham Park Hospital Emergency Department but unfortunately passed away approximately 24 hours later, at 12:52 am on February 10.

During the inquest, Senior Coroner Heidi Connor mentioned that "nitrous oxide gas," commonly referred to as laughing gas, contributed to "part of her cause of death." The post-mortem report revealed that Ellen Mercer's death was attributed to bilateral pulmonary thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, and "long-term complications associated with nitrous oxide use."

Michaela Kirtley, an emergency medical technician from Phoenix Response Services, affiliated with the South Central Ambulance Service, visited Mercer’s residence on February 8.

Upon arrival, Mercer’s boyfriend guided her to the bedroom.

“I took notice of the room,” Kirtley recalled.

“There were no sheets on the bed at all. There was just the duvet, severely stained. The room was bare.”

This sight led Kirtley to recognise the vulnerability of the individual she was dealing with.

According to Kirtley, Mercer “was talking as normal,” and the only abnormal vital sign noted was her heart rate, which could have been elevated due to anxiety.

Mercer informed Kirtley that she had sustained burns on her legs from a gas canister spill, preventing her from walking or using the restroom for two weeks. Additionally, Kirtley noted that Mercer appeared to be six months pregnant.

Upon inspectingMercer's leg wounds, described as "pussy," Kirtley's concerns heightened.

During the inquest, Kirtley recounted thatMercer's boyfriend presented a box of gas canisters, identified as nitrous oxide. Kirtley remarked that these canisters were unusually large, weighing 600g. According toMercer's boyfriend, she consumed "two to three bottles" per day, although her intake had decreased in recent weeks.

Mercer informed Kirtley that she had lost consciousness, resulting in the gas canister falling onto her legs.

Subsequently, an ambulance took Mercer to the hospital.

Also watch |UK: Sunak spent $2.5M on focus groups to sell 'Eat Out' scheme says report

At the time of the student’s death, it wasn’t illegal to have laughing gas for recreational use. However, in November 2023, the government made it illegal and classified it as a Class C drug. The investigation is still ongoing.

(With inputs from agencies)