Student died after accidentally taking lethal dose of diet pills she bought on the internet

A 21-year-old student died after taking a lethal dose of diet pills she bought online, her mother has claimed.

Eloise Parry, known as Ella, 'burned up from the inside' after swallowing the highly-toxic substance known as Dinitrophenol, or DNP.

After accidentally taking the lethal dose on April 12, she began feeling unwell at around lunchtime - and drove herself to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

Doctors carried out a toxicity test and discovered she was in grave danger as there is no antidote to DNP, which is toxic.

Her metabolism began to soar and she started to overheat.

Despite doctors desperately trying to stabilise her, she died just three hours later. 

Her mother Fiona, 51, has now issued a stark warning about buying diet pills online.

In a heart-wrenching statement issued on her behalf by West Mercia Police, she said: 'Sunday started out cool and clear.

'By lunchtime there was a brisk wind, blowing in strong gusts that suggested a storm might be coming. 

'Overhead the skies were bright blue, almost cloudless and full of promise.

'I didn't know it at the time, but Ella had bought slimming tablets on the internet. 

'A substance called DNP that is unsuitable for human consumption because of its toxicity.

'She had taken even more of these "slimming tablets" than recommended on the pack and had no idea just how dangerous they really were.

'How many of us have ever thought "If one tablet works, surely it won't hurt to take one or two more?"'

She went on to explain that her daughter had driven herself to hospital and walked into A&E.

As she was still completely lucid and seemed to be OK, she thought there was no danger.

However, when the toxicity report came back it became clear how dire her situation was.

Mrs Parry continued: 'The drug was in her system, there was no antidote, and she had taken a lethal dose.

'As Ella deteriorated, the staff in A&E did all they could to stabilise her.

'As the drug kicked in and started to make her metabolism soar, they attempted to cool her down, but they were fighting an uphill battle.

'She was literally burning up from within. When she stopped breathing, they put her on a ventilator and carried on fighting to save her.

'When her heart stopped they couldn't revive her.'

She added that her daughter never intended to take her own life, she just didn't understand the danger of taking an overdose of the slimming tablets.

Mrs Parry said: 'Most of us don't believe that a slimming tablet could possibly kill us.

'DNP is not a miracle slimming pill. It is a deadly toxin. It is similar to TNT in structure.

'TNT is an explosive. DNP causes your metabolism to run at an explosive level, with potentially fatal consequences.'

The cause of Miss Parry's death will be confirmed by a coroner at a later date.

Police are now investigating where Eloise purchased the pills, which cost around £70 for 100 capsules containing 200mg of DNP.

Chief Inspector Jennifer Mattinson said: 'We are undoubtedly concerned over the origin and sale of these pills and are working with partner agencies to establish where they were bought from and how they were advertised.

'The coroner's report will establish the exact cause of Eloise's death but we urge the public to be incredibly careful when purchasing medicine or supplements over the internet.

'Substances from unregistered websites could put your health at risk as they could be extremely harmful, out-of-date or fake.

'An investigation is being carried out to find out where Eloise bought the pills and we ask anyone with any information that could help us to call 101.

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