Art student fell into River Thames after getting hooked on Ketamine at London university

A coroner has warned how it is too easy for students to buy drugs in the halls of residence of a London university after a 19-year-old fell to his death from London Bridge after taking ketamine.

Joshua Forsdyke (above) , originally from Middlesborough, fell into the River Thames on August 26 2024.

He had moved to London to study at the University of Arts London in September 2023.

His inquest, which concluded on January 8, heard that he was exposed to easy access drugs, particularly ketamine, whilst in the student halls of residence run by Fresh Student Living.

A Prevention of Future Deaths report written by Melanie Sarah Lee, Assistant Coroner of Inner North London at St Pancras Coroner’s Court, said: "He began buying ketamine and his addiction to illicit drugs and alcohol appears to have spiralled from there and continued when he moved out of halls.

"On 26 August (2024) he took ketamine and had an argument with his girlfriend about his drug use.

"The following day, he began drinking alcohol in the morning, before taking tramadol tablets belonging to a third person.

"He then left the flat and went to London Bridge, telling his flat mate that he intended to jump. After behaving bizarrely on the bridge, he jumped into the River Thames."

His body was recovered from the Thames near Butlers Wharf on 31 August 2024.

Toxicology tests showed that Josh had consumed a significant level of alcohol, a toxic of tramadol plus ketamine, shortly before his death.

Ms Lee concluded that Joshua "took his own life whilst his judgment was impaired due to drugs and alcohol."

She has now written to bosses at the university and Fresh Student Living to call for action to be taken and they have 56 days to respond.

She wrote: "I heard evidence that Ketamine was easily and openly available to students as it was being dealt from and/or by persons with access to, and moved between, student halls of residence.

"In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe that your organisations have the power to take such action."

A tribute page to Joshua on funeral-notices.co.uk, which has raised more than £1,500 for the charity Mind, says: "Josh will be sadly missed and always remembered by all who knew and loved him."

His mother Jo Forsdyke wrote on the page: "We all miss you so much, our angel boy. This photo is from last Christmas. It’s still unbelievable that you’re gone. We’ll love you forever. Until we meet again. Mum."