Business student, 24, died from inhaling “hippy crack” nitrous oxide after ordering huge bottles of the drug up to three times a day, inquest hears

A business student died from inhaling “hippy crack” nitrous oxide after ordering huge bottles of the drug up to three times a day, her inquest heard.

Business student Ellen Mercer, 24, from Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, died in hospital on February 9 last year after falling suddenly ill.

A post-mortem examination report found that “large blood clots” that formed in Ms Mercer’s legs traveled to the arteries in her lungs, eventually causing a “sudden cardiorespiratory collapse”.

Coroner Heidi Connor listed “long-term complications due to nitrous oxide abuse” among the causes of his death.

The inquest heard that Mercer required urgent medical attention several times in the months before his death, including on February 5 when he called the ambulance service saying he “couldn’t get up” and felt “pain in both legs and lower back.” the back”. ‘

Doctors who tried to save her found that there were “features of neurological compromise” and subsequent tests found that laughing gas, used by young people at parties, had caused serious circulatory and respiratory problems.

A subsequent post-mortem examination found that an underlying cause of Mercer’s death was related to “long-term complications” related to the party drug, the Sun reported.

At the opening of Mercer’s inquest in February, Berkshire coroner Hannah Godfrey said the student “had a history of nitrous oxide abuse.”

Her family described Ms Mercer as a “truly beautiful soul” who was “missed by all who were lucky enough to know her”.

Her mother, Sharon Cook, 54, said on social media: “I miss you so much, dear girl.” I hope you are being well taken care of by dad and grandma. I wasn’t ready for you to leave me.

At the time of Mercer’s death, hippy crack, also known as nitrous oxide, was not classified as illegal. It only became a Class C listed substance in November last year.

Repeat nitrous oxide offenders will now risk prison and dealers will face up to 14 years in prison.

Users face an unlimited fine, community service, a reprimand – which would appear on their criminal record – or a possible two-year sentence for serious habitual users.

Nitrous oxide is the second most used drug among 16- to 24-year-olds in England, after cannabis, and has been blamed for encouraging antisocial behavior and littering.

Last summer at the Notting Hill Carnival it was reported that there were 13 tonnes of canisters containing the drugs collected after the festival.

Inhalation of the gas causes brief sensations of lightheadedness, fits of laughter, and hallucinations.

However, heavy and regular abuse carries significant health risks, such as anemia and, in more severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis.

It has been identified as having potentially fatal consequences on UK roads due to drug driving incidents.

Nitrous oxide, however, has legitimate uses, such as its use in maternity wards during childbirth. It will still be legal for those purposes.

Licenses will not be required to transport nitrous oxide, but users will have to demonstrate that they do not intend to consume it due to its psychoactive effects.