Teen took 9 MDMA capsules and cocaine before overdosing, court heard

An inquest into the deaths of six festival-goers has heard how a 19-year-old overdose victim, who took nine MDMA capsules and cocaine, told a friend he would “push through” instead of seeking medical help.

• Doctor ‘out of comfort zone’ at festival
• ‘I didn’t think anyone would die’

MDMA overdose victim Callum Brosnan took nine capsules plus cocaine and danced solidly for eight hours at the Knockout Games of Destiny festival before he collapsed frothing at the mouth on his way home, a court heard.

A close friend told how the 19-year-old disability care worker preferred to “push through” and not seek help at the medical tent when he felt unwell at the Sydney Showground last year.

The court heard how musically-talented Callum, who had deferred a place at the Sydney Conservatorium to work with autistic children, had taken cocaine before the festival and bought three and a half capsules at the venue at 5.30pm.

Callum Brosnan.

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A friend who had purchased 30 capsules for $900 at the festival later gave Callum a further two. Police believe Callum had taken a total nine by the time he collapsed shortly after 12am at Sydney Olympic Park train station’s platform three.

“He was fine dancing and at 11.30pm he was just standing there looking at the stage looking blank,” the friend, 21, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court.

“I was genuinely worried, I had never seen him look like that.

“He said he was going to keep going, he was going to keep a strong mind and push through, he thought he would get through it by staying calm,” the friend said.

“There was a bright medical tent, I asked if he wanted to go, that it was OK to get help, he said ‘no’.

“It was common for friends to take around three MDMA and mix it with other drugs and alcohol.

The father of Callum Brosnan, Cornelius Brosnan, who died after attending the Knockout Games of Destiny event in December 2018. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/Daily Telegraph

“He was dancing with light up gloves and was doing shows for people, he could have got more drugs for doing the shows, people get rewards for doing those shows.”

Callum’s parents Cornelius and Heidi Brosnan heard how their son, described as “bright and kind,” first used MDMA with friends in year nine in 2014, progressing from one to two, to five to nine.

He collapsed in a seizure, his eyelids flickering and frothing at the mouth, on the platform when first aid manager put him in recovery position and called for an ambulance.

He was vomiting for five minutes before falling unconscious.

Addiction specialist and GP Dr Hester Wilson gave evidence at the inquest today. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Alex Ross-King.

An ambulance was called three times and arrived at 12.45am. He was rushed to Concord Hospital at 1.46am with lethal temperature of 41.9 degrees.

He was intubated and ice packs were used. Despite resuscitation efforts he did not survive.

He died after going into multi system organ failure caused by MDMA and cocaine.

Counsel assisting the coroner, Peggy Dwyer, told the court there was no evidence he had taken cocaine at the festival but he had taken it four hours before.

The friend said it was “common” for friends to take more than three MDMA capsules at festivals.

“Because the initial high starts to wear off and it’s to try to get back to that state,” he told the court.

“The MDM purchased sometimes wouldn’t be that strong. Friends take them before going in to avoid detection on the way in.

Jen Ross-King (right), mother of Alexandra Ross-King who died at FOMO music festival arrive at the Coroner’s Court. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“It’s a boost of energy, an alternative to drinking where you get tired and sloppy. It keeps you going.

“What happened to Callum was distressing, no one’s doing it (MDMA) anymore.”

Police officer in charge of investigating Callum’s death said a see-through capsule found in Callum’s bumbag later tested positive for MDMA with 77 per cent purity.

Inspector Karl Leis has called for better night-time CCTV to monitor sick patrons on their way home.

“There is high quality CCTV footage, but it’s dark, although there is lighting within confines of railway station, when the person leaves you don’t know if are they safe,” he told the court.

“With schoolies on Gold Coast there are a lot of mums and dads, there’s a highly visible presence to help and support young kids.”

The inquest is also investigating the deaths of Joshua Tam, Joseph Pham, Nathan Tran, Alexandra Ross-King and Diana Nguyen.