Max Carlton-Smith · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 6th September 2013, I opened an inquest into the death of:
Max Carlton-Smith, aged 21 years, died 1st September 2013
I concluded the inquest at a full hearing on 15th December 2014.
The medical cause of death was multi-organ failure from MDMA/ecstasy overdose.

Max Carlton-Smith was found in cardiac arrest by LAS at 05.32 in ████████ after taking MDMA at an illegal rave nearby. He had collapsed after being intoxicated in a trance and those attending did not summon emergency medical assistance immediately. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 06.23 on 01.09.13 at Kings College Hospital. He died of an accidental drug overdose.

The organizers of the unlicensed rave had not provided on-site medical assistance and had spent between 12 and 42 minutes before calling the ambulance service, when the deceased collapsed. There was inadequate ventilation for a very hot venue, and fire exits and procedure had not been regulated. The organizers had taken over an empty squatted commercial building and barricaded against those who attempted to enter, (including police, who attended and spoke earlier to a security man and then later following complaints of noise). I concluded that had the event been licensed and normal facilities and regulation in place, he would probably not have died when he did.

Police evidence was that they had no power to enter (nor had the ambulance service) a commercial premises (as opposed to private premises) that had been squatted unless a crime had been committed or in an emergency. There were not resources available on this weekend to close down the venue when the rave was taking place, without diverting all the officers in the borough force. It was reported that the MPS now has disseminated to boroughs notice of a facility to access officers from other areas and that the borough police were more likely to intervene in the future. In the event it was reported that 21 officers attended but people left and evaded statements or gave false contact details, so that none of the organizers or staff have been traced.

DS Howell specifically recommended that this report be written as the police would like the power to enter squatted commercial premises, to prevent an illegal rave being held, which was more efficient and effective than trying to intervene when it was in operation. Given the increased risks of death associated with unlicensed raves, these proposals would seem to prevent future deaths.