Nikolas Clarke acted for the local authority at an inquest into the death of ES, a 17-year-old ‘looked after child’ who died at a music festival in Kent.
ES was 17 when she attended the music event in Kent, became ill and was taken to hospital. She suffered a cardiac arrest and died of drug toxicity. She was believed to have taken MDMA.
It was reported that at least 11 other people, all under the age of 18 had also been taken to hospital due to potential drug overdoses.
Inquest
The inquest considered:
- the extent of the local authority’s responsibility and its actions to prevent ES acting irresponsibly
- security measures in place at the event to address drug taking/dealing as well as age verification
- when/where Emily took the drugs.
Coroner’s conclusion
The corner concluded that ES’ death was a drug-related death from MDMA toxicity. She made no criticism of the local authority, no causative findings and no preventing future deaths report.