Haaris Bhatti

I am:   Coroner ME Hassell Senior Coroner Inner North London St Pancras Coroner’s Court Poplar Coroner’s Court Bow Coroner’s Court

On 24 July 2025, I commenced an investigation into the death of Haaris Bhatti, aged 23 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 22 January 2026. I made a determination that death was drug related. The medical cause of death was: 1a [REDACTED] toxicity.

Haaris took drugs on a recreational basis but was not a frequent user of [REDACTED]. Just before entering Fold Nightclub at 1.20am on Saturday, 19 July 2025, he swallowed [REDACTED]. During his time at the nightclub, he snorted more drugs.

During the course of the inquest, the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances, it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. At approximately 4.45am, Haaris was noted by nightclub staff to be unwell and was taken to the welfare room in a wheelchair. He was very hot, had an extremely fast heart rate and extremely high blood pressure, and appeared to the club first aider to be psychotic. He was monitored and he later explained that he had taken [REDACTED]. However, there was a failure by club staff to call an ambulance until 5.57am. Staff agreed with me at inquest that they should have called an ambulance as soon as they got Haaris into the welfare room and saw his condition. The delay in seeking definitive medical care decreased Harris’s chance of survival.  The delay did not seem to me to be simply about any individual member of staff, but rather it reflected the club’s training and culture as a whole. Staff were concerned for Haaris, but this concern did not translate into effective management of his medical emergency.

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