A Pembroke man, arrested by Police after banging his head against City walls, died as a result of a rare drug reaction -- not his physical injuries.

This was revealed during the Coroner's inquest into the sudden death of Michael E. Burgess, 38, of Rosemont Avenue, who died on May 27, 1996.

The inquest began on September 24 but was adjourned after a few hours of testimony on doctors' attempts to save Mr. Burgess' life.

Yesterday, the coroner's was told by Dade County, Florida, forensic pathologist Valerie Rao that the numerous abrasions, contusions and lacerations on Mr. Burgess' body did not contribute to his death.

She said his death was the result of a cocaine-induced psychosis stemming from a mixture of cocaine and alcohol.

The rare reaction caused Mr. Burgess to become excited and paranoid, leading to a fatal respiratory collapse.

"Cocaine can produce a number of different reactions,'' she explained. "This is only one of them... Nobody really knows why this happens. We know the cause of death but we don't know the mechanism of death.'' Under questioning by lawyer Julian Hall, who represents Mr. Burgess family, Dr. Rao said local medical personnel lacked the experience to properly diagnose the condition.

"In Bermuda this is the first case which I'm aware of with this type of death,'' she said.

Violent behaviour, hypothermia, unexpected strength and paranoia in recreational drug users usually indicates cocaine induced psychosis, American studies have found.

The six-man, two-woman jury heard that victims should be transferred immediately to a hospital where their respiration should be monitored and supportive therapy administered.

"It is a very tough call to make, to figure out who's suffering from it,'' Dr. Rao pointed out. "You don't have the time to wait for lab results.'' Last year it was revealed that an ambulance was dispatched to Hamilton earlier that day to pick up Mr. Burgess but he refused treatment so it returned empty.

After a third telephone call from Police, an ambulance was sent back out to pick up the man from Hamilton Police Station.

"I cannot say if the hospital could have saved his life,'' Dr. Rao said. "A doctor who is aware of the condition could make the diagnosis.'' But local pathologist James Johnston said it was common knowledge that cocaine could lead to excitement and cardiac respiratory distress.

And he admitted Police and emergency medical technicians should have suspected Mr. Burgess was having either a psychotic episode or was on drugs when they saw his erratic behaviour on May 27, 1996.

Dr. Johnson also defended ambulance attendants who made the initial emergency run.

"They can't give him an injection to calm him down because it's an assault,'' he explained.

The inquest continues today.