Drugs, alcohol contributed to teen's death – Coroner

Published: 5:27AM Wednesday May 30, 2012 Source: ONE News

David Gaynor - Source: Supplied

Illegal drugs and alcohol were a significant contributing factor in the death of an Auckland teenager, according to a Coroner's report.

King's College student David Gaynor died from traumatic head injuries after he leapt from a motorway overbridge in central Auckland following his school ball last year.

A Coroner's report into the 17-year-old's death found Gaynor knew the likely consequences of his impulsive actions when he committed suicide even though he was "clearly affected by the combination of substances he had ingested".

The toxicology report found David had a blood alcohol level of 32 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood as well as traces of two illegal drugs, party stimulant "4-MEC" and possible traces of cannabis.

David had two blue pills with him at the time of the death containing the chemical 4-MEC, an amphetamine-like stimulant found in illegal party drugs such as ecstasy, which gives users a sense of short-lived euphoria.

The Coroner also found David's state of mind was likely affected by the disciplinary action he was to face at school after being discovered near the female toilets at the ball "not in his usual frame of mind," Coroner Neil MacLean said.

School staff had suspected the teen was intoxicated and ordered him to the "time out room" to wait for his father to arrive but did not provide medical assistance.

David discussed the possibility of expulsion with his father, business commentator Brian Gaynor, on the ride home from the ball where he was acting "quiet and withdrawn".

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Drugs, alcohol contributed to teen's death - Coroner