TEESSIDE SCAFFOLDER
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Inquest hears drugs in blood were ‘well above recreational levels’Published: 12 August, 2011
by JOSH LOEB
Cocktail of ketamine and cocaine caused man’s death
A POPULAR Westminster man died after taking the anaesthetic drug ketamine combined with cocaine “well above normal recreational levels”, an inquest heard.
Chris Rohan, 27, died in his flat in St George’s Square, Pimlico, on May 15.
Drug paraphernalia, including white powder and rolled-up pound notes, were found close to the avid Chelsea FC fan, who regularly attended matches at Stamford Bridge.
Prescription anti-depressants were also found, reporting officer PC Simon Bernard from Charing Cross Police Station told the inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.
PC Bernard told the court how a large crowd gathered outside Mr Rohan’s home soon after he was found lifeless by his girlfriend at about 7.45am.
Mr Rohan, who was born and raised in Pimlico, was described by coroner’s officer Kim Bedwell as a “much-loved man” who completed his education despite severe dyslexia.
He became a scaffolder but had stopped working due to illness.
In an online tribute, friend Mark Conlon praised Mr Rohan as “a complete and utter one-off, a unique character with a massive, warm personality, who brought joy and laughter to all of us fortunate enough to know him”.
A post-mortem report found cocaine present in Mr Rohan’s blood at 1.49mg per litre, which deputy coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said was “well above normal recreational levels and falls within the limits which may be associated with fatality”.
She added: “However, there is no safe level of cocaine. Ketamine was also present in levels which may be associated with toxicity.
“The combination of ketamine and cocaine is likely to have had a cumulative effect.”
The cause of death was recorded as ketamine and cocaine toxicity. Dr Radcliffe recorded a verdict of death as a result of abuse of drugs.
by JOSH LOEB
Cocktail of ketamine and cocaine caused man’s death
A POPULAR Westminster man died after taking the anaesthetic drug ketamine combined with cocaine “well above normal recreational levels”, an inquest heard.
Chris Rohan, 27, died in his flat in St George’s Square, Pimlico, on May 15.
Drug paraphernalia, including white powder and rolled-up pound notes, were found close to the avid Chelsea FC fan, who regularly attended matches at Stamford Bridge.
Prescription anti-depressants were also found, reporting officer PC Simon Bernard from Charing Cross Police Station told the inquest at Westminster Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.
PC Bernard told the court how a large crowd gathered outside Mr Rohan’s home soon after he was found lifeless by his girlfriend at about 7.45am.
Mr Rohan, who was born and raised in Pimlico, was described by coroner’s officer Kim Bedwell as a “much-loved man” who completed his education despite severe dyslexia.
He became a scaffolder but had stopped working due to illness.
In an online tribute, friend Mark Conlon praised Mr Rohan as “a complete and utter one-off, a unique character with a massive, warm personality, who brought joy and laughter to all of us fortunate enough to know him”.
A post-mortem report found cocaine present in Mr Rohan’s blood at 1.49mg per litre, which deputy coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe said was “well above normal recreational levels and falls within the limits which may be associated with fatality”.
She added: “However, there is no safe level of cocaine. Ketamine was also present in levels which may be associated with toxicity.
“The combination of ketamine and cocaine is likely to have had a cumulative effect.”
The cause of death was recorded as ketamine and cocaine toxicity. Dr Radcliffe recorded a verdict of death as a result of abuse of drugs.