Officer took "lethal combination" of illegal drugs
A New Scotland Yard police officer died of a drug overdose after being found in a distressed state in North End Road.Westminster Coroner's Court heard that Auzeley Coombs, 31, had taken a lethal combination of crystal meth, amphetamines, ketamine and cocaine, while staying with a friend in Fulham on July 19.
At around 8.30am the the next morning, police were called to North End Road, after a passer-by found Mr Coombs looking distressed and out of breath. He told officers he had taken an overdose of illegal drugs the night before.
The court was read a statement from PC Oluseyi Ladejobi, saying : "He said he had taken an overdose of ketamine and crystal meth. He kept repeating 'I'm going to die'."
The officer realised Mr Coombs was also a policeman when he discovered his wallet, mobile phone and a police warrant card on the pavement. He was taken by ambulance to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where he lost consciousness and died.
A post-mortem examination confirmed Mr Coombs had taken amphetamines, crystal meth and cocaine, and it is believed he had also taken ketamine. His brain was swollen and heavy, and the pathologist added that he might have had a stroke.
Westminster Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said: "His brain has been damaged due to drug intoxication. He has not died of a heart attack, and there are no signs of injury."
He concluded that Mr Coombs, who lived in Mile End, had died of non-dependent abuse of drugs.
November 9, 2009
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