Dunedin student's death at party a 'woeful illustration' of NZ's drinking culture

<p>The "senseless" death of a Dunedin student who choked on his own vomit at a party has been described as "a woeful illustration of the prevalent youth drinking culture in New Zealand". </p> <p>A coroner's inquiry has determined the 20-year-old's death was caused by asphyxia when vomit became stuck in his throat while intoxicated. </p> <p>The student, whose name is suppressed, was in his first year of study at Otago University when he died just after midnight on October 1, 2023 .</p> <p>Earlier in the evening the 20-year-old and some friends attended a party to celebrate his birthday. </p> <p>Witnesses said he began drinking an "unknown quantity" of alcohol after arriving at 6.40pm. </p> <p>He was later found passed out and "pretty much unresponsive" in the kitchen. </p> <p>He started vomiting and was carried to a bedroom in the flat.