A chilling warning
Dying drug victim’s family bring friends to bedside to warn them of dangers
THE grieving family of a teenage drug victim showed his dying body to a group of his friends – in a dramatic bid to warn them off drugs.
Business student Lee Kelly, 19, collapsed at a Hogmanay dance event after it is believed he took Ecstasy. He died in hospital two days later.
The day before his life- support machine was switched off, his family took some of his friends into his room at Glasgow Royal Infirmary in the hope that the sight would deter them from ever taking drugs.
The friends also returned to the room a day later, after Lee had passed away.
His grandfather Eddy Kelly, 71, said the shocked teenagers had been ‘inconsolable’.
‘They were devastated by what they saw,’ he added. ‘He was comatose and tubes were everywhere.
‘His friends were sobbing. I was telling them, “This could have been you – this is what drugs can do”.
‘I asked them why they would risk doing this to themselves and they broke down in tears… We brought them in as we wanted to show them the affects. We don’t want Lee’s life to be in vain.
‘You could tell they had seen the reality of it. They said they were never going to have drugs again.’
Lee was at Glasgow’s O2 Academy for the GBX Hogmanay event hosted by Clyde 1 DJ George Bowie when he became ill early on New Year’s Day. His mother Vivien, 46, said: ‘He had never done drugs in his life, but the doctors told us he had taken MDMA.
‘We don’t know why he decided to take it. It was a one-off.’ MDMA – commonly known as Ecstasy – became a popular drug in the dance scene of the 80s and 90s. The euphoric effects can last up to six hours, but it can cause panic attacks, anxiety, paranoia and confusion. Speaking of the decision to show Lee’s body to his friends, his mother said: ‘We don’t want any more ruined lives.’
She also revealed how she had seen him before he headed out from their home i n Glasgow’s Croftfoot area. ‘He waved goodbye as he left and said, “Have a good night Mum,”’ she said.
‘His friends then turned up at the door a few hours after the bells as I was going to bed. I couldn’t believe it. They had Lee’s wallet and phone. They couldn’t call me because the phone was locked so came to tell me that Lee had collapsed and was being taken to hospital. By the time I arrived, Lee was there being worked on by doctors.
‘I didn’t get to see him until later that morning. When I reached ICU, the doctor told me that there was very little they could do.’
Devastated teenagers have left tributes online to Lee. Kelly-Anne Crockwell said: ‘ RIP Lee, you gained your wings early, was a pleasure knowing you and I’m sure you will touch everyone’s hearts up there like you did down here.’ Connor Martin said: ‘ God has gained another legend RIP Lee, thoughts are with his family and friends.’
A spokesman for Police Scotland said inquiries were continuing.
She added: ‘We received a report a 19-year- old man had collapsed within the O2 Academy in Glasgow. Emergency services attended and he was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he died on Sunday, January 3. A post mortem will take place in due course to establish the exact cause of death.’