A ‘HEARTBROKEN’ family has paid tribute to a student who drowned in mud on Southampton Common after taking drugs.

As previously reported, an inquest revealed 21-year-old Amandeep Sansoa died in what the coroner called a “tragic accident” in the early hours of December 1.

The inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court heard last week that the Southampton University natural sciences student had taken a potentially fatal level of ketamine at a party before heading to the Common, where he drowned in mud in the Model Yachting Pond.

Friends told the inquest they did not know why Mr Sansoa went to the Common after leaving the party, as it was not on the route back to his home in Gordon Avenue, Portswood.

The inquest heard Mr Sansoa was found in the pond, 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.

Following the inquest, Mr Sansoa’s parents said in a statement: “Amandeep had a bright future and was looking forward to an internship at the European Space Agency and was planning to do a PhD, after completing his masters in natural sciences.

“We are going through a very difficult period at the moment, knowing that we will not see this fulfilled.

“We are heartbroken at his tragic death.”

They also highlighted their son's fundraising work. In the month before his death, he raised more than £6,000 as part of ‘Movember’ – the challenge of going a month without shaving a moustache.

On his fundraising page Mr Sansoa said: “Men’s health and mental health are incredibly important things that must be discussed and awareness must be increased. Too many people suffer in silence.”