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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tom Davidson

University student on drugs drowned in pool of mud after party called 'Almageddon'

A student who'd taken drugs drowned in a puddle of mud after attending a party called 'Almageddon'.

Amandeep Singh Sansoa was found dead in the middle of a drained pond which still contained mud and patches of water.

The 21-year-old was discovered the morning after he had been to a house party called 'Almageddon' held by students who lived on Alma Road in Portswood, Southampton, an inquest heard.

He is believed to have taken ketamine the night of his death and large amounts were found in his system.

Mr Sansoa's body was found in a drained pond on Southampton Common (Solent News & Photo Agency)
Mr Sansoa was described as being 'zombie-like' hours before his body was found (Facebook)

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Winchester Coroners' Court heard the student studied natural sciences at Southampton University.

The course requires students to achieve at least two A grades and an A* in biology, chemistry, physics or maths and is described as a 'challenging degree programme' with 'demanding high levels of commitment'.

Dana Heffernan, who was at the party and a friend of Mr Sansoa, told the inquest she saw him shortly after 5am looking "like a zombie".

"I remember thinking he must be on drugs," Ms Heffernan said.

"There were a lot of drugs at the party; I know the drugs going around at the party were ketamine and cocaine, but there could have been others.

Alma Road in Portswood, Southampton where the house party was held (Solent News & Photo Agency)

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"Amandeep was not a regular drug user, I have never seen Amandeep like that."

She added that there were 100 to 200 people at the party, although that was the last recorded sighting of Mr Sansoa, before he was found dead on Southampton Common.

Housemate Ben Jenkins, who was also at the party and described Mr Sansoa as a "popular student", said: "I know of no reason why Amandeep would have been on the Common.

"In his first year, Amandeep was somewhat depressed, but that's not the case anymore."

The boating lake on Southampton Common was drained at the time of Mr Sansoa's death (Solent News & Photo Agency)

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The inquest heard Mr Sansoa was found in the pond on December 1, shortly before 9am by parkrunners Janice Hill and Joe Bibby.

Mr Bibby said he climbed down in the pond to check on Mr Sansoa, but after rolling him over found mud in his mouth.

Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Basil Purdue confirmed he died as a result of drowning in the mud.

Dr Purdue also revealed toxicology results that showed Mr Sansoa had no alcohol in his system, but a "very high level" of ketamine that could have been high enough to kill, as well as evidence of cannabis, cocaine and MDMA use.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, senior coroner Grahame Short declined suggestions to call for lighting and fencing at the pond.

A friend said she last saw Mr Sansoa, who rarely took drugs, looking 'like a zombie' just hours before his body was found at the boating lake (Solent News & Photo Agency)

Mr Short said: "It's important the wildlife is not constantly bathed in artificial light, and it's impossible to put barriers around every hazard."

A Southampton University spokesman confirmed the 'Almageddon' event was not linked to the university and was held in private accommodation.

The spokesman said: "We were very saddened by the death of one of our students in December.

"The university worked closely with his family to provide support during what was a very difficult time for them and they remain very much in our thoughts.

"We continue to offer support to any fellow students who were closely affected by his death."

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