Student dies after taking drugs milkshake

A TALENTED music student died after drinking a milkshake mixed with drugs at a Leeds party.

Oliver Walton, 19, who was studying at Leeds College of Music, became unwell after taking MDMA powder in the drink during a party at a house he shared with others in Shaw Lane, Headingley, Leeds.

Yesterday West Yorkshire Coroner, David Hinchliff, told an inquest in Leeds he hoped Mr Walton’s death would serve as a reminder to others of the dangers of taking drugs.

Mr Walton, who lived in a flat on Shaw Lane, Headingley, was at the party, which was attended by around 20 to 30 people, on the night of October 21, last year. Headingely is home to a large student population.

His friend, Harry Japp, told yesterday’s hearing, at one stage his friend had told him he was planning to take MDMA, also known as ecstasy, in a milkshake.

When he came back he suggested he may have put more of the powder in the milkshake than he intended, the hearing was told.

Mr Walton became later unwell and his friends cared for him.

An ambulance was later called and he was rushed to hospital but he was pronounced dead at 3.45am on October 22, last year.

He died after the use of the drug brought on a hypovolemic shock - severe blood loss which makes the heart unable to pump enough blood to the body.

Mr Hinchliff told the hearing: “Situations like this are the dread of every parent.”

He recorded a verdict that Mr Walton died as a result of the non-dependent use of drugs.

Det Sgt Ian Lawrence, told yesterday’s inquest there was nothing suspicious about Mr Walton’s death.

The hearing was told that Mr Walton, a second year student at the college, who was born in Nottingham, had indicated he was going to get the drugs before the party.

Following the hearing his parents, David and Nicola Walton, issued a statement which said of Oliver: “He touched the lives of many people and his loss has been the harder to bear for the fact that it is as senseless, as it was unexpected.

“Oliver was a much loved young man, who achieved so many things in his nineteen years and who worked hard for everything he accomplished.

“Each day he is sorely missed by all those who knew and loved him.”