Inquest Hears Nick Cave’s Son Arthur Took LSD Before Fatal Cliff Fall

An inquest in the U.K. has heard that Arthur Cave, the 15-year-old son of Australian musician Nick Cave, took LSD with a friend on the day of his fatal cliff fall in Brighton. 
On July 14 this year, witnesses reported seeing the young man “staggering” on a grassy area near a cliff top; after the plunge, he was taken to Royal County Hospital in Sussex, but died that evening. 
Dr Paul Ransom, who treated Arthur, said that he suffered “critical head injuries”, and that it became clear soon after his arrival at hospital that little could be done. Offering some consolation to the family, Ransom added:

“In Arthur’s case, sadly, and I think mercifully, it was clear that he was not aware of what was going on.”
The court also heard a statement from an unnamed friend, who said that the two took LSD on the day of the incident.The friend said that they were initially in “good spirits and happy”, but that he lost track of Arthur after he began experiencing hallucinations. 
Investigators found that, the night before, Arthur had researched the effects of the drug online, specifically seeking advice on how long its effects last, and what dosage to take. Detective Constable Vicki Loft told the inquest:
“Arthur was also slightly hesitant but said to [his friend] that if they were thinking or worrying [about] bad things before taking the tablets that would have an effect on their trip. They debated for a few minutes about whether to take the tablets then both took them together.”
While no traces of LSD were found in Arthur’s system, coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deely accepted the word of his friend that the young men took the drug on the day, adding:
“It was taken by lads who were inquiring and experimenting and it’s what kids do all the time, and most of the time … they get away with it, except on sad occasions like this.”
Hamilton-Deely recorded a verdict of accidental death in the case. 
In July, Arthur’s parents released a statement simply saying: “He was our beautiful, happy, loving boy.”
via The Guardian
Photo via Getty Images / Handout

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