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Holiday at Disneyland, Orlando, in Florida ends in death of Kings Hill dad after fatal levels of fentanyl found in his system

05:00, 17 November 2022

updated: 15:22, 17 November 2022

A family's Disneyland holiday ended in tragedy after a dad collapsed and died.

Philip Weybourne, from Emerald Walk, Kings Hill, was in Florida with his wife and son when he was suddenly taken ill.

Philip Weybourne. Picture: Facebook
Philip Weybourne. Picture: Facebook

The 40-year-old had gone out to a bar alone when he was rushed to hospital, an inquest at County Hall in Maidstone heard, but his condition deteriorated quickly and he could not be saved.

Toxicology reports revealed he had fatal levels of fentanyl in his system – a powerful synthetic opioid similar to morphine but more potent.

In a statement read at the hearing, his wife, Dorlyn Weybourne said: "We began our holiday at Disneyland, in Orlando, Florida, on May 20, 2022.

"On May 23, we woke up late and had no theme parks to attend on that day.

"It was just going to be a relaxing day, we booked a meal at the Boat House, a seafood restaurant at Disney Springs which is also home to tours in vintage amphibious automobiles.

The Boathouse restaurant in Orlando. Picture: Google Maps
The Boathouse restaurant in Orlando. Picture: Google Maps

"My son and I had been shopping and met with Philip at 1pm at the Boat House."

They had lunch together and ordered champagne. Her statement continued: "We had the best lunch, we drunk champagne like we did when we lived in Dubai.

"Afterwards we went on an amphibious car ride and to end our day we headed back to the hotel at about 5.30pm."

The mother went on to explain how her husband, an IT chief executive officer, wanted to continue drinking into the evening.

There was a place at the Yacht Club hotel, Epcot Resorts Boulevard, that he wanted to try, she said.

The Yacht Club in Orlando. Picture: Google Maps
The Yacht Club in Orlando. Picture: Google Maps

He showered, changed and headed out to the bar.

Two hours later, she had a knock on her hotel room door and was informed that Mr Weybourne had been taken in an ambulance to hospital. She was asked if she wanted to get a taxi there.

She continued: "I asked them if it was heat stroke or a heart attack.

"When I got to the hospital I didn't see my husband. I just remember the doctor telling me his time of death, 8.06pm."

At AdventHealth Celebration – an acute care hospital in Celebration, Florida which serves visitors to the Walt Disney World – doctors told Mr Weybourne's wife that he had died from a cardiac arrest on Monday, May 23.

The Yacht Club in Orlando. Picture: Google Maps
The Yacht Club in Orlando. Picture: Google Maps

Assistant coroner Catherine Wood said: "This must have been very difficult and distressing for Mr Weybourne's family.

"I don't know the circumstances that led up to his death as Mr Weybourne died in another country.

"He had no underlying health issues and I am content, after the findings of the autopsy, that his death was caused by fatal levels of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid used as a pain medication.

"I offer my sincere condolences to Mr Weybourne's family.

"It must have been a great shock and not something you needed to relive at the inquest.

The inquest was heard at County Hall in Maidstone
The inquest was heard at County Hall in Maidstone

"I hope you can begin to rebuild your lives."

Mrs Weybourne was joined by Mr Weybourne's mother, Margaret, and his sister, Emma Wood, via video link.

They did not wish to comment further, saying at the inquest: "We spoke about Philip's life at his funeral. It is time for closure."

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