A FISHING trip turned to tragedy when a man died after taking two 'ecstasy bombs'. An inquest heard how Steven Monks, 27, collapsed at the Manor Carp Lake in Wilberfoss, near Pocklington.
He had gone to the fishing lake with his friend Danny Baldwin.
Mr Baldwin told the inquest he took three "ecstasy bombs" while Mr Monk took two, late on Friday, August 23. But in the early hours of Saturday, August 24, Mr Monks fell ill.
Mr Baldwin told the inquest in Hull the bombs are made from a paste of MDMA – the ingredient in ecstasy – and wrapped in cigarette paper before being swallowed.
He said: "We took the bombs to chill out.
"Once Steve set up the fishing equipment, he had another one. He then started to pace up and down and do weird things with his hands.
"He began sweating heavily and I was getting very concerned. I asked if I should call an ambulance, but he said he was ok.
"Steve lay down and became unconscious which is when I rang for help."
By the time paramedics turned up, Mr Monks was already dead.
Pathologist Dr Jonathan Medcalf told the inquest a potentially fatal dose of the powerful hallucinogenic drug PMA was found in Mr Monks' system. He said the drug can increase the heart rate and elevate the body temperature.
Dr Medcalf said Mr Monks died from heart failure caused by PMA toxicity.
Mr Monks was a civil engineer who lived in Featherstone in West Yorkshire. In a statement read to the court, Mr Monks's father Carl said his son was active and enjoyed the gym.
He said: "I knew he had taken cannabis when he was younger, but I was not aware he was using drugs now.
"We were so sad and upset at the death of our son. It was so sudden and unexpected.
Partner Zoe Burrows, with whom Mr Monks had two children, told the inquest he regularly used cocaine at the weekends.
"On the day he left to go fishing, he seemed awkward and I suspected he was going to do drugs. He later sent me a text to say he loved me and apologised for his earlier behaviour.
"It was the last time I heard from him."
Assistant coroner Rosemary Baxter concluded Mr Monks's death was accidental.
She said: "PMA is a potent hallucinogenic drug which affects the nervous system.
"Mr Monks' death was caused by him taking the drug without appreciating or understanding the consequences.
"He lost his life as a result of accidental death caused by the abuse and misuse of drugs."
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