Inquest into the Death of Thoms, Gemma Geraldine

17y · Female·Acute Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) toxicity

Gemma Thoms, a 17-year-old girl, died from acute MDMA toxicity after consuming three ecstasy tablets at the Big Day Out music festival on 1 February 2009. She collapsed and died on 2 February 2009. Key clinical lessons: she initially presented to a first aid post with signs of ecstasy toxicity (pulse 120 bpm, respiratory rate 22 breaths/min, flushed appearance) but was assessed by a volunteer first-aider with limited training who was unaware she had taken ecstasy (she lied and said she took "dexies"). Temperature was not checked despite this being a guideline requirement. She was discharged after 25 minutes with only one set of observations taken, when multiple observations were recommended. No paramedics, nurses, or doctors were available on-site at the event. Better outcomes could have been achieved through: trained medical staff recognising MDMA toxicity signs, taking baseline temperature, repeating observations, having paramedic-level medical care on-site, and knowing her true age (minors under influence must be discharged to guardians, not back to the event).