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A CORONER has blamed the toxic effects of cannabis for the sudden death of a 17-year-old trainee chef.

Hadrian Thomas Gardner – known as Adie – fell outside a Prestbury restaurant where he worked, on the evening of October 7, 2008, and died later in hospital, an inquest heard.

Hadrian, of Crompton Road, Macclesfield, led a "turbulent" life taking drugs and was expelled from Henbury High School, the coroner was told.

He had already suffered a heart attack the year before his death, but had taken a "big step forward" taking a trainee chef’s job at Prestbury Village Restaurant, the coroner said. He died after his second day at work.

Deputy coroner for Cheshire, Geoff Roberts, told Hadrian’s family and friends: "People use cannabis and think that it is a harmless property. We have heard clear evidence in this case that it is not. Very sadly, Hadrian died as a result of the direct toxic effects on the heart that the use of cannabis had. As such, it was an avoidable death."

Robert Gardner, Hadrian’s dad, told the inquest at Macclesfield Town Hall that he was waiting to pick up his son from The Village Restaurant, when the incident happened.

Mr Gardner said: "He came out of the restaurant, crossed the triangular piece of grass and then stumbled and fell on the pavement. It was a bit surreal. He fitted for about ten seconds."

Paramedics rushed to the scene, and despite resuscitation and six electric shocks to start his heart, Hadrian never recovered, the inquest heard. He died at Macclesfield Hospital at 12.15am on October 8.

Dr Mark Nicol, who treated the teenager at Macclesfield Accident and Emergency unit, said in his report that the case was "unique" as he had been admitted to A and E in 2007 after suffering a heart attack. On that occasion, doctors were able to revive him.

"Drug problems were acknowledged at that time", Dr Nicol added.

"This case highlights that cannabis use is potentially life threatening."

Mr Roberts added: "We have heard how over a period of time, for some years, he had used cannabis and perhaps other illegal substances.

"This is a very sad case because, despite his turbulent past and cannabis use, he had got a job as a trainee chef. The post-mortem showed no findings of recent drug use. But his body was left a legacy of using cannabis in the past, which directly led to his death.

"My conclusion is that Hadrian died as a result of using drugs."

Dr Sally Hales, who carried out the post mortem, said in a report to the coroner there were no traces of cannabis or other illegal drugs in Hadrian’s body when he died. Dr Hales examined the heart and concluded the teenager had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and that "a history of using cannabis, amphetamines and cocaine would appear to be the most likely cause".

Afterwards, Hadrian’s former boss at the Prestbury Village Restaurant paid tribute to him.

Manager Rick Palmer, a dad of two who runs the restaurant with wife Helen, said: "He was a nice lad who worked hard. He was reliable, no trouble and good to work with. His death was a total shock to us all."