A struggling student overdosed on slimming pills after taking out a payday loan which saw a £100 debt soar to £800 in just three months, an inquest has heard.

Courtney Mitchell Lewis made “a cry for help”, said the coroner, but the Swansea University physics undergraduate died after taking the tablets at his flat in Swansea.

The 21-year-old posted a message to friends on Facebook, alerting them by saying: “I don’t want to die, I think it is too late.” Colin Phillips, acting senior Swansea coroner, said: “Mitch was a loving and caring individual who was facing a number of personal problems.”

Mr Lewis worked as a barman but borrowed £100 from a payday loan company. The loan debt rapidly increased to £800 within three months.

In pictures: Protests against Wonga, June 2014 Show all 5 1 /5 In pictures: Protests against Wonga, June 2014 In pictures: Protests against Wonga, June 2014 Protests against Wonga A group of demonstrators protest against loan company Wonga outside offices in London In pictures: Protests against Wonga, June 2014 Protests against Wonga Protesters hold anti-wonga banners during the splinter march in London In pictures: Protests against Wonga, June 2014 Protests against Wonga A protester speaks during the protest against pay-day loan company Wonga in London In pictures: Protests against Wonga, June 2014 Protests against Wonga Occupy London declared a class War on Wonga over the increase in interest rates on loans to 5,853% APR, calling them loan sharks In pictures: Protests against Wonga, June 2014 Protests against Wonga 'Occupy' protesters demonstrate against British payday loan company 'Wonga' in Trafalgar Square in London. Students, trade unionists, pensioners and activists staged a march through central London before gathering in Trafalgar Square to hear speeches

The company offering the payday loan was not identified but it was investigated by police and operating legally.

After he took the pills, Mr Lewis' friends called the emergency services and he was taken to A&E, but died.