A MEDICAL student died after taking a legal high that lethally combined with the banned drug Ecstasy, an inquest heard.

A coroner’s court heard how Douglas Ferguson had been taking hallucinogenic substance while at the Chandlers Ford home of friend Alex Pearson, whose parents were away on holiday.

The drug was the anti-depressant alpha-Methyltryptamine, known as AMT, which can be legally bought in the UK.

But in the hours leading to his death, 19-year-old Mr Ferguson had also been taking Ecstasy as well as drinking and smoking cannabis.

The Bristol University student was back home visiting friends and family after completing his first year.

During the course of the night Mr Ferguson, who was at Mr Pearson’s parents’ home in Nichol Road, kept topping up the amount of AMT he was taking, believing it was not working.

However in the early hours of the morning Mr Ferguson began sweating profusely and became increasingly agitated.

Giving evidence from Melbourne in Australia via a video link, Mr Pearson said: “He smashed a vase and a flower pot. He was throwing stuff on the floor. He was running around being energetic and hallucinating.

“I thought in time it would go away.”

Mr Pearson then said he had to call in the help of friends to help restrain Mr Ferguson, who was moved outside.

An ambulance was then called. Giving evidence, paramedic Simon Surplice, who was first on the scene found a group of youngsters around Mr Ferguson, who was flaying his arms, contorting his face and breathing quickly.

Police soon arrived on the scene. Because Mr Ferguson was thrashing around he had to be strapped down in the ambulance and taken to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

But despite their best efforts, Mr Ferguson heart stopped and he could not be revived. Pathologist Dr Basil Purdue said the main cause of death was sparked by mixing AMT with Ecstasy. This created a deadly condition called serotonin syndrome.

Concluding his inquest, mid-Hampshire coroner Grahame Short said: “The effect was to cause his brain to swell and bleed.

“I don't think it was a deliberate over dose.

“I believe it was a young man who was experimenting with the effect of drugs and not realising until too late how potent they could be when taken in large quantities.

“Given that he was an intelligent person quite clearly, and indeed studying medicine, it is surprising how he did not realise how foolhardy it was.

“Unfortunately too many young people have discovered this to their cost.”

Mr Short recorded the death as drug related.

Mr Ferguson was a former student at Peter Symonds College in Winchester and Thorden School in Chandler’s Ford.

Following the death police found drugs at Mr Pearson’s home. He pleaded guilty to possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply. He was given 200 hours’ unpaid work in the community.

The Daily Echo launched its Say No To Legal Highs campaign following the death of Adam Hunt, 18, from Southampton, who also died after taking AMT.

A month after the death of Mr Ferguson, married father William Nutter, 32, from Andover, died after taking the drug.

According to experts at the Advisory Council of the Misuse of Drugs the substance should be banned. It remains legal.