University employee dies after night out

A court has heard that a Psychology graduate who tragically died after a night out suffered unexpected cardiac arrhythmia.

Josie Bullivant, who worked for the University, arrested in the ambulance on her way to hospital.

The 25-year-old was briefly at the Propaganda club night at O2 Academy with three friends before she collapsed “like a rag doll” according to her friend Neil Ricketts.

Josie was pronounced dead at the Leeds General Infirmary just after 2.30am the January 29.

Toxicology reports showed moderate levels of alcohol in her system and no other substances.

Pathologist, Dr Richard Hartley, explained to the inquest that Miss Bullivant had experienced a cardiac arrhythmia in the club followed by acute heart failure in the ambulance. Dr Hartley explained that  “you can have people leading perfectly normal lives [who] collapse in these kinds of situations and can die”. He concluded that in Josie’s case “the heart had started to beat abnormally on the dance floor causing a lack of blood to the brain, causing her to collapse”.

Assistant Deputy Coroner, Kevin McLoughin, gave his condolences to Miss Bullivant’s family, saying: “her sudden death is an unspeakably cruel fate and the tragedy visited on your family is the stuff of nightmares for any parent.” He added: “You had a daughter who you can be immensely proud of”.

Author: Ellie Parkes