The grieving father of a young football coach has issued a desperate warning to parents and teenagers after his son died from taking a single MDMA pill, which he believed was a cheaper alternative to alcohol.
A New Year's Eve Tragedy
On 31 December, 20-year-old Kieran Bassett from Hastings was at a friend's house for pre-drinks. It was there that he is believed to have taken an ecstasy tablet. His health deteriorated catastrophically in a very short space of time, and he was rushed to Conquest Hospital.
Medical teams placed Kieran on life support, but despite their best efforts, he could not be saved and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
A Father's Haunting Memory and Plea
Kieran's father, Mark Bassett, spoke to MailOnline about the horrific final moments. "One of the most haunting images that I don't think I will ever get out of my mind was of him laying there, his life ebbing away from him, and his nose just running with blood," he said. "Me and his mum were just mopping away the blood. It was horrific."
Mr Bassett explained that the only reason he can think of for his son taking the drug was cost. "A pill being much cheaper than alcohol is the only reason I can think of that he would ever consider taking the drug because he had so much to live for," he stated. He also revealed that police suspect the pill was "tainted or laced with something else."
His direct message to young people is clear: "It's just not worth it. You don't know what you're putting in your body. And if your friends are thinking of taking it, don't be afraid to tell them to stop and to tell their parents too. You may lose a friend but you may stop someone losing their life."
Legacy of a Beloved Coach
Kieran, who worked as a car insurance renewals adviser, was a passionate and much-loved youth football coach. He managed the under-11 team at Hollington Hawks Youth Football Club and was planning to earn his official coaching badges.
The club paid tribute, saying: "Kieran was more than just a coach — they were a mentor, a role model, and a constant source of encouragement for our children. The time, energy, and love they gave to the U-11s team will never be forgotten."
The family's ambition is now to create a positive legacy. "Our ambition as a family now moving forward is to create a legacy for Kieran, and to use his story as a catalyst to try and deter other kids from doing drugs," said Mr Bassett.
A GoFundMe page has been established in Kieran's memory. His family has confirmed that any funds raised will be donated to the football club to support grassroots youth football.
