One woman dead and another left fighting for life after a suspected group drug overdose in a hotel room

A woman has died and another is fighting for life in intensive care following a suspected drug overdose in a Gold Coast hotel room. 

Emergency crews discovered seven women struggling to breath inside the Meriton Apartments in Surfers Paradise at about 11.30pm on Friday. 

Despite efforts by paramedics one of the women, aged 43, died at the scene. 

Two other women were rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital in a critical condition. One remains in ICU and the other is in a stable condition. 

Queensland Ambulance Service’s Mitchell Ware said three women were treated for a suspected drug overdose, including a 43-year-old woman who was in cardiac arrest.

‘The (43-year-old woman) required specialist care and despite all attempts was declared deceased on the scene,’ Mr Ware said.

‘The other two were not breathing for themselves so ambulance (medics) obviously had to provide supplemental oxygen for them.’

Four other people were assessed at the scene but were not taken to hospital.

Mr Ware said paramedics have seen an increase in similar incidents.

‘We are going to these patients frequently,’ he said. ‘They present, whether it be unconscious, they can stop breathing, they can become violent.’

Mr Ware said a toxicology report would be prepared by police, but warned people of the risks of recreational drug use.

‘There is no such thing as a party drug,’ he said.

‘When people are obviously buying these drugs there is an element of risk. You don’t know what’s going into them, you don’t know who’s made them.’

Police will prepare a report for the coroner into the 43-year-old’s death.