A 13-year-old whose death is suspected to be related to drugs was discovered “pale and shaking” in a park, an inquest has heard.

Carson Price, of Hengoed, was discovered passing “in and out of consciousness” in Ystrad Mynach Park after Gwent Police were called to the area on the evening of Friday, April 12.

He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, where he was pronounced deceased.

An inquest into the teenager’s death was opened and adjourned at Newport Coroner’ Court on Thursday.

The court heard there was “no suspected third party involvement” in Carson’s death, and the subsequent arrest of a 14-year-old on suspicion of drugs offences was not “directly concerning the death of Carson”.

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Addressing senior coroner Wendy James, coroner’s officer Geoffrey Ronayne said: “During the early evening of Friday, April 12, 2019 the emergency services responded to a call of a male youth who had passed out in a park in Ystrad Mynach.

“On their arrival he was in and out of consciousness, pale and shaking.

“He was immediately conveyed by ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.

“His condition rapidly deteriorated and despite medical intervention and life saving procedures, he passed away later that evening.”

In the days following the tragedy, Gwent Police issued a statement saying their inquiry “does focus on illegal drugs being a contributing factor” to Carson’s death.

A spokesman said a form of MDMA, branded with imagery related to the Donkey Kong video game franchise, is being investigated in connection with Carson’s death.

(Image: Gwent Police)

On the morning of Thursday April 18, a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and was taken into custody at Newport Central Police Station.

Mr Ronayne said: “One youth has been arrested in connection with supplying controlled drugs, but this is not directly concerning the death of Carson.

“There is no suspected third party involvement in his death and Gwent Police are continuing with their enquiries.”

Mr Ronayne said a postmortem examination of Carson’s body has been carried out by a pathologist and blood samples taken for toxicology testing.

The results of the post-mortem have not yet been published.

Senior coroner Wendy James released Carson’s body for funeral purposes and adjourned the inquest until July 29, later this year.

She said: “I offer my condolences to Carson’s family on the loss of their son.”