Student, 24, who died after inhaling nitrous oxide ordered huge bottles of drug up to three times a day, inquest told
A STUDENT who died from inhaling nitrous oxide ordered huge bottles of the gas up to three times a day, an inquest heard.
Ellen Mercer, 24, told her boyfriend not to call an ambulance as it "kills her buzz" when she began suffering leg and back pain.
Paramedics raced to the business student's home to find Ellen with a freeze burn on her leg where a canister had fallen when she collapsed.
Her boyfriend revealed she ordered 600g bottles of nitrous oxide - known as hippy crack - two to three times a day.
Paramedic Michaela Kirtley told the inquest: “He told me that Ellen uses nitrous oxide, big canisters, I had never seen such big ones, 600 gram bottles.
"She inhales them. Her eyes roll back, she falls back, hits her head and passes out.”
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When Ellen’s boyfriend was asked why he didn't call an ambulance when she passed out before, he reportedly said she "shouted at him" as she wanted to continue her high.
Ellen was rushed to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough but tragically died two days later.
An inquest heard today how large blood clots had formed in Ellen's legs, which then travelled to the arteries in her lungs.
These then caused a sudden cardio respiratory collapse - a loss in both blood circulation and breathing.
Berkshire Coroner Heidi Connor confirmed Ellen's death was related to "nitrous oxide use".
A post mortem found she died from deep vein thrombosis with an underlying cause of death given as "long term complications due to nitrous oxide abuse".
Ellen had required urgent medical care several times in the month leading to her death after complaining of leg and back pain.
At the time of the tragedy, nitrous oxide — often inhaled through balloons — was not illegal.
It was reclassified in November last year as a Class C drug, with dealers facing up to 14 years in prison.
Ellen, from Gerrards Cross, Bucks, was previously described by her family as a “truly beautiful and gentle soul” who was “missed by everyone lucky enough to have met her”.
Mum Sharon Cook, 54, said online: “I miss you so much my darling girl.
"Hope you’re being well looked after by dad and grandma. I wasn’t ready for you to leave me.”
