Business student, 24, died from inhaling ‘hippy crack’ nitrous oxide after ordering huge bottles of the drug up to three times a day, inquest hears

A business student died from inhaling ‘hippy crack’ nitrous oxide after ordering huge bottles of the drug up to three times a day, her inquest has heard.

Business student Ellen Mercer, 24, from Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, died in hospital on February 9 last year after suddenly becoming unwell. 

A post mortem examination report found that ‘large blood clots’ which formed in Ms Mercer’s legs moved to the arteries in her lungs, eventually causing a ‘sudden cardio respiratory collapse.’ 

Coroner Heidi Connor listed ‘long term complications due to nitrous oxide abuse’ among the causes of her death.

The inquest heard Ms Mercer required urgent medical care several times in the months leading up to her death, including on February 5 when she called the ambulance service saying she was ‘unable to get up’ and felt ‘pain in both legs and lower back.’

Medics who tried to save her found there were ‘features of neurological compromise’ with later tests finding that laughing gas, used by youngsters at parties, had caused serious circulation and breathing problems.

A later post-mortem examination found that an underlying cause of Ms Mercer’s death had related to ‘long term complications’ related to the party drug, the Sun reported.

At the opening of Ms Mercer’s inquest in February, Berkshire coroner Hannah Godfrey said that the student ‘had a history of nitrous oxide abuse’. 

Ms Mercer was described by her family as a ‘truly beautiful soul’ who was ‘missed by everyone lucky enough to have met her’. 

Her mother Sharon Cook, 54, said on social media: ‘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.’

At the time of Ms Mercer’s death, hippy crack – also referred to as nitrous oxide – was not classified as illegal. It only became a Class C listed substance in November last year.

Repeat offenders of nitrous oxide will now risk prison with dealers facing up to 14 years in jail.

Users face an unlimited fine, community service, a caution – which would appear on their criminal record – or a possible two-year sentence for serious habitual users.

Nitrous oxide is the second most commonly used drug among 16 to 24-year-olds in England after cannabis, and has been blamed for fuelling littering and anti-social behaviour.

Last summer, at Notting Hill Carnival it was reported that there were 13 tonnes of cannisters containing the drug collected after the festival.

Inhaling the gas brings about short-term feelings of lightheadedness, fits of giggles and hallucinations.

Heavy, regular abuse, however, risks significant health risks including anaemia and in more severe cases, nerve damage or paralysis.

It has been identified as having potentially fatal consequences on the UK’s roads from incidents of drug driving.

Nitrous oxide, however, does have legitimate uses such as being used on maternity wards during labour. It will still be legal for those purposes.

Licences will not be needed to carry nitrous oxide, but users will be required to demonstrate they are not intending to consume it for psychoactive effects.