(NewsGlobal.com)- According to a report from The Times, a technology executive from the United Kingdom passed away in May due to fentanyl toxicity while on vacation in Disney World.
The Times reports that the Middle East Director of Excis Compliance Ltd., Philip Weybourne, who was 40 years old, passed away on the third day of his family’s holiday in Florida. According to the outlet, Weybourne had spent the day with his wife and kid before traveling to a local bar, where he passed out and was then transported to a nearby hospital. The incident occurred after Weybourne had spent the day with his wife and son.
According to The Times’ report, Weybourne became ill almost two hours after entering Disney’s Yacht Club hotel bar. After that, someone went into his room and informed his family that he had been transported to the hospital. According to the publication, Weybourne passed away before his wife could make it to the hospital. It was noted that the executive did not suffer from any preexisting medical issues.
A post-mortem examination of his remains revealed that his system contained an amount of the synthetic opioid fentanyl that was lethal.
“I am satisfied, following the autopsy findings, that his death was caused by deadly amounts of fentanyl,” said the coroner. “He had no underlying health conditions.”
Following the inquest, Weybourne’s family stated they did not want to make any additional comments. “At Philip’s burial, we talked about his life. It’s time for closure,” they said.
An intake of just 2 milligrams, or the equivalent of two grains of rice, of the synthetic opioid, up to 50 times more potent than heroin, can be lethal.
Overdoses of fentanyl, which killed more than 71,000 Americans last year and averaged over 195 per day, were the leading cause of the 107,622 fatal drug overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fentanyl was initially developed as a medicinal pain-relief drug; however, it is now predominantly trafficked into the United States through the open southern border by drug cartels, who acquire their supplies primarily from Chinese manufacturers.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, it is frequently added to other drugs without the awareness of the user to improve the strength of the combination.
