Home   Thanet   News   Article

Ramsgate drum and bass fan Reece Welch took up to 20 pills at London rave

A Ramsgate drum and bass fan died after he took 15 to 20 pills at an all-night rave in London.

An inquest was told Reece Welch, 21, of Kennedy House, Newcastle Hill, died on August 2 last year after attempts to resuscitate him proved futile.

He had travelled by train from Ramsgate to The Forum in Kentish Town, with 12 to 15 friends who split up while in the venue.

Mr Welch took a bag of pink pills with him to the event in London
Mr Welch took a bag of pink pills with him to the event in London

Acting DS Bradley Shingles told the hearing at Margate Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday: “We believe Reece travelled by train with a group of a dozen or so friends drinking alcohol and carrying a bag of pink pills.

“Between the hours of 10pm and 5am he consumed a number of tablets.

“There is no evidence to how many he took but evidence heard today suggests it was between 15 and 20.”

“He became agitated, aggressive, he was sweating quite a lot and gradually became more erratic in behaviour" - Josh Coad

Mr Welch arrived back in Ramsgate between 9am and 10am and stayed for a couple of hours with friends Josh Coad and Kate Bevington.

At 12.42pm he arrived back at his flat before his mother and girlfriend arrived at 4.50pm.

At 5.02pm a call was made to the ambulance service and 10 minutes later the paramedics arrived, followed shortly by the police.

Acting DS Shingles said: “When we arrived he was conscious but not able to communicate coherently and is believed to have smashed items around the property beforehand.

“After attempts by paramedics he was pronounced deceased at 7.10pm.”

Mr Coad told the inquest he would often go to raves with Mr Welch and they would use recreational drugs.

He said: “We shared a bottle of vodka between the group on the train and we all knew each other as fans of the drum and bass music scene.

“We made our way to the club and Reece had a bag of pink ecstasy pills for his use. I’m guessing there were 20 to 30 pills.

“I don’t recall seeing him that much while we were there, only to turn down sharing a bottle of vodka with him in the early hours of the morning.

“Back in Ramsgate he was drinking and buzzing from the pills.

Reece Welch died at his home in Ramsgate after the rave in London
Reece Welch died at his home in Ramsgate after the rave in London

“He became agitated, aggressive, he was sweating quite a lot and gradually became more erratic in behaviour.

“I was still under the influence myself and didn’t know how to react.

"I was shocked and saddened to hear of his death. He was my friend and I miss him whenever I walk past his house” - Mr Coad

“I have seen him in a similar state before and he always pulled through – I was shocked and saddened to hear of his death. He was my friend and I miss him whenever I walk past his house.”

Assistant coroner James Dillon said: “It is plain to me that Reece had some troubled times through his teenage years. He took prescription drugs for ADHD and Asperger’s and oppositional defiant disorder.

“But then we heard of a young man who was starting to get his life in order and mature.

“He had a history with drugs and smoked cannabis from the age of 14. We have heard evidence that he had access to drugs – a bag of pink MDMA pills – and we know Reece took a number of those.

“He was with a group of friends at a perfectly legal rave event and toxicology evidence shows the presence of MDMA, cocaine and cannabis.

“The pathologist said the concentrations are unreliable because of attempts to resuscitate Reece.

"Nonetheless results show he was using drugs – none were at a lethal level but it is possible for the combination to become fatal.

“I agree with the pathologist that the cause of death was consumption of multiple drugs and substances of abuse.”


Stories you might have missed

FA Cup Final tickets drop from sky over Kent

Inquest into resident's choking death at care home

Ice cream van at school whips up anger

'Appalling, sudden and complete'


Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More