Sam Potter: Surrey teenager died 'after uni drinking game'

Sam Potter from Hersham was 19 years old when he was found dead at a house in Gloucester by his rugby club teammates in the early hours of May 9, 2019.

An inquest into his death at Gloucestershire Coroner's Court were told that toxicology tests found Sam had drunk a fatal level of alcohol after first and second year students at the University of Gloucestershire took part in "initiation" drinking game" at the end of the rugby season on May 8.

Around 15 students took part in the games, which happened in a garden shed and reportedly involved first and second year students drinking beverages mixed by third and fourth year students.

Gloucestershire Coroner's Court

At 6pm several students went home but Sam, who was described as being "extremely intoxicated" stayed and fell asleep on the floor, leaning against a sofa.

The alarm was raised at about 5.30am the following day when friends could not wake the second year student, who was studying film production.

Paramedics later attended and confirmed his death.

In the aftermath, a police investigation was held and did not find any third party involvement.

Detective Sergeant David McCoy told the hearing there was evidence that lager, Guinness and rum had been drunk alongside various food sauces at the gathering.

"Everybody who was there, was there of their own free will and voluntarily and engaged in those games voluntarily and were able to stop if they wished to do so," he said.

"There was nothing based on the other students we spoke to that give us any cause for concern. It was a tragic accident.

"I see the list of drinks being drunk, ranging from rum, Guinness, lager and all sorts and items of food and sauces I think were taken as well... various different things.

"Exactly what he did drink, I don't think I know."

Toxicology tests showed Mr Potter had 362mg of ethanol per 100ml of blood. The legal drink drive limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood.

Katy Skerrett, senior coroner for Gloucestershire, explained experts regard a level of more than 350mg as being potentially fatal.

Following Sam's death, the University of Gloucestershire commissioned an independent report into the culture and practices of its sports clubs and societies.

Student registrar, Stewart Dove, said the report made 22 recommendations, including employing a director of sport.

Skerrett asked Dove about peer pressure as it had been highlighted in the report.

I think there is no doubt there was a culture in that group, which meant you probably felt you had to attend and had to join in," he said.

"I don't think we can try and duck that issue."

Recording a conclusion of alcohol-related death, Skerrett said: "Sam clearly consumed a large amount of alcohol at that event. There is nothing to indicate attendance was anything other than voluntary.

"Clearly, there is an element of peer pressure in any such event, but the evidence points to this being a voluntary attendance by Sam.

"What seems very clear is the amount Sam consumed tragically exceeded the amount that than cause fatal alcohol toxicity and very tragically Sam succumbed to the effects of that toxicity."

Speaking afterwards, Sam's parents, Kevin and Lindsay, said: "His strength of character made it all the more shocking that this had happened to him.

"It appears that none of the students involved had any idea of the dangers associated with drinking large amounts of alcohol over a short amount of time, or how to recognise the signs of alcohol poisoning and the potential for it to be fatal.

"Education around this is key. But so is addressing the problem areas in the culture of sport that can exist at universities.

"Our hope is that by increasing the awareness of these issues, universities step up to try and change things for the better for their students.

"Affecting positive change in drinking culture will not be easy but we have to try."