A SWISS student who died after collapsing in Bournemouth Gardens had overdosed on the powerful date rape drug GHB, toxicology tests have shown.

As they struggle to come to terms with his death, Andreas Stehli's grief-stricken family is urging other foreign students to be on their guard against the deadly substance in the hope of preventing further tragedies.

Just days after laying her only son to rest, his distraught mother Daniela said: "Andreas was a very health-conscious boy who had never taken drugs before and didn't even smoke.

"GHB is a very dangerous drug and we want Andreas's death to be a warning to other students of the terrible consequences."

Dorset police family liaison officer, acting sergeant Lynn Jackson said: "Andreas's mother, father Thomas and 18-year-old sister Martina are absolutely devastated. They want to ensure no other family has to endure the same ordeal."

Mr Stehli's death on July 12 is believed to be the first GHB (Gamma Hydroxybutyrate) fatality in east Dorset, prompting fears that the drug, nicknamed liquid ecstasy, is being sold on Bourne-mouth's streets.

The 19-year-old bank worker from Gossau near Zurich was among 32 trainee secretaries staying with host families during a two-week trip to study English.

On the night of his death Mr Stehli and five companions had dined at a local Greek restaurant before buying soft drinks and a bottle of vodka.

It is believed four members of the group went to the Lower Gardens where a bottle of GHB was produced near the Bournemouth Eye balloon.

When two teenagers became ill and suffered breathing problems the emergency services were called. Mr Stehli, who had been staying with a Wimborne Road host family, was certified dead a short time later at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

At the opening of his inquest, it was revealed that a post mortem examination had shown Mr Stehli's death had been caused by GHB intoxication.

Coroner's officer Neil Murdoch said: "To my knowledge there has not been a similar death in east Dorset."

GHB, which is clear, odourless and tasteless, is sold as a light-coloured powder that easily dissolves in liquids or as a pure liquid in small bottles. Since 1990 it has claimed 72 lives in America.

The drug was banned in the US in March 2000. GHB has been used in numerous drug-assisted rapes and sexual assaults. Just a few drops in alcohol can cause someone to pass out. An overdose can lead to a coma.

Mr Stehli's funeral was held at Bournemouth Crematorium on Thursday, August 18 before his family flew back to Switzerland with his ashes for a burial service on Saturday.

Robert French, principal of the Richard Language College where Mr Stehli was a student, said: "The impact of Andreas's tragic death was enormous.

"The sadness we feel is immense but we are continuing to impress on our students the need for them to be safe and understand fully the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

"To this end, Bourne-mouth police officers have talked to some of the young adults at our college about personal safety matters."

Three men quizzed by detectives investigating Mr Stehli's death have been released on police bail.

First published: August 24, 2005