Jordan Blackburn issues photo of himself in induced coma to show dangers of legal highs

The 20-year-old had been hospitalised after taking legal highs at Kendal Calling – friend Christian Pay died

A photograph shared by Jordan Blackburn of himself in an induced coma, which he had been put in after taking legal highs at Kendal Calling (Facebook)

A man who was put into an induced coma after taking legal highs at a festival has shared an image of himself in hospital to show the dangers of taking the legal substances.

Jordan Blackburn, 20, from Cumbria, was hospitalised along with four other people after the attending the festival on 31 July. The group are believed to have taken at least three different pills.

Christian Pay, 18, a member of the group admitted to the Cumbria Infirmary, died in hospital.

Blackburn posted a picture of himself from when he had been placed in an induced coma in hospital, to “show people what the consequences are of just a little pil”.

Christian Pay, who died after taking legal highs at Kendal Calling (PA)

He wrote: “Many lives over the weekend, not just those lost, but the families of those involved have been destroyed – including my own by the careless use of uppers at festivals, or any other time for that matter.

“I really think I need to raise awareness and show people what the consequences are of just a little pill. I’m not telling people to like or share this post, just please read and think hard about what you’re putting in your body.

“I’ve been lucky enough to have a second chance at life and I’m clinging to every part for me and Chris, so the most I can do is let people know the consequences they put themselves in and their family.”

He ended with a message to Chris, and said: “Miss you mate, I’ll make you proud”.

Blackburn’s mother, Alison Turnbull, told the BBC that her son “just wants to raise awareness”.

“He was laying in his hospital bed and he just looked and he said, ‘I’ve been given a second chance at life, haven’t I?’ and I said, ‘Yes, you have’.”

Debbie Pay, the mother of Christian, paid tribute to her son’s life in a statement issued to police last week.

She said: “Christian was small in stature but had the heart of a lion and enough personality for everyone. He was just a fun, fun guy and such a nice person – he hated seeing anyone being picked on,” adding that his older brother Adam and older sister Chloe are “devastated”.