SURREY - Why Ernest Azah Azoadam, 16, died will remain a medical mystery.
Coroner Mary-Clare O'Reilly has determined that the teenager who was pronounced dead in Surrey Memorial Hospital after collapsing aboard a party bus in Surrey on Feb. 15, 2013, died "of an undetermined cause."I classify this death as undetermined and make no recommendations," O'Reilly concluded in her report, filed last week. Last year, the BC Coroners Service ruled out drugs and alcohol as factors in the teenager's sudden death.Ernest had seen his family doctor in the month prior to his death, complaining of a persistent cough. Otherwise, he had no significant medical history. The postmortem exam didn't reveal any major trauma, infection or catastrophic vascular disruption that would have caused or contributed to his death. Nor was there evidence of inflammatory cells or enlargement of his heart. Toxicology tests found ethyl alcohol (0.11 per cent) in his blood, and evidence of prior cannabis use."The toxicological examination did not identify any combination of drug/medication/volatile that would suffice to explain the death," O'Reilly found. She noted that marijuana and alcohol are sedatives "and it is possible that the combination could alter consciousness and breathing."After collapsing, Ernest remained flat-lined, despite all efforts to revive him. He had been celebrating a friend's birthday on a party bus rented from Favori Limousine Service and boarded the bus with about 30 other young people, including his brother, shortly after 9 p.m. at Burnsview Secondary school in North Delta.O'Reilly noted that some passengers reported to police that alcohol and marijuana were being used. The bus made three stops and Ernest was reportedly fine during the first two. The first stop was in the "country side," the second at a McDonald's and the third at a gas station in the 15200-block of 72nd Avenue.Moments prior to the third stop, he suddenly collapsed while dancing. His brother and three other passengers helped him from the bus, and his brother called 911.Police were told Ernest had been drinking throughout the day and was known to smoke pot, but was not seen smoking on the bus and finished his last drink prior to boarding the bus. He didn't complain about feeling unwell before he collapsed.As for the bus company, O'Reilly noted that Favori reportedly strives to hire staff who are trained in CPR, but is not obliged to do so.It also prohibits passengers under 19 years old from drinking and the only liquor found that night was inside passengers' belongings.The coroner's investigation revealed that the company usually employs a chaperon for groups of 20 or more but there wasn't one in this case.Since Ernest's death, Favori has been conducting bag searches for all passengers and not letting them board if alcohol or drugs are found.