'Education would have saved James' life' - Dad

An emotional Charles Webster is comforted by his wife Penny as he reads a statement to the court at the Coroner's Inquiry into the death of his son James Webster. Photo / AP

James Webster's father believes his son's death would have been avoided if he had been aware of the risk he was taking.

James, 16, a student at King's College in the Auckland suburb of Otahuhu, was found dead in a bed at a friend's house after he had been taken home from a birthday party, drunk, vomiting and semi-conscious on May 8.

His father, Charles Webster, appeared before coroner Gordon Matenga, who is residing over the inquest into his son's death, and described his son as "a fine young man who would have made a wonderful contribution to New Zealand society".

Mr Webster said he knew of only two occasions when his son had drunk alcohol before, and only ever a couple of beers, he said.

Evidence from other witnesses that James told them he regularly got drunk was likely the young man's bravado.

Mr Webster had not discussed drinking responsibly with his son because he felt he was too young to be drinking.

In a tearful statement to the court, Mr Webster, supported by his wife, Penny, said James was a responsible young man and would never have drunk like he did if he knew the risks involved.

"In one short encounter with alcohol our beautiful family has been devastated and friends and school communities deeply shocked," he said.

"We had an expert witness in this hearing give testimony that 250 millilitres of alcohol would be enough to kill James. If he had have known that there is no way in the world he would have drunk about half a bottle of vodka."

The Webster family would support a St John Ambulance initiative to introduce alcohol education into schools.

Educating people about when drunk people needed to be taken to hospital would save lives, he said.

Last photos released

This morning, the last pictures of James Webster were released by the Coroner.

The pictures showed a drunk James being supported by Alex Banks, the son of Auckland City Mayor John Banks.

They were taken by a friend of James shortly before he collapsed. James died several hours later from acute alcohol poisoning.

Another picture shows James at the party holding a bottle of alcohol.

Yesterday Mr Banks broke down in tears in the witness box as he read a personal statement to the inquest into James' death.

His son had earlier admitted encouraging an already-drunk James to drink more alcohol at a party on May 8. James died from acute alcohol poisoning hours later.

"Mr Webster could just as easily be me giving this evidence now and my son could have been the deceased," Mr Banks said.

"The tragedy could strike any family at any time."

Listening to the evidence had left him saddened and bewildered.

"As a father, I have done my best to teach my two sons what is right and what is wrong."

He pleaded with parents to be vigilant with their sons, and apologised for the actions of his own.

"We love our boy and we've done our best and I accept responsibilities for his actions, that's what a father should do. But it doesn't make the pain any easier."

Mr Banks said he gave up alcohol when he was 24 because of his alcoholic mother.

"My mother slowly killed herself, finally, on a combination of methylated spirits and sherry that she would drink all day, every day."

He told of meeting Charles and Penny Webster soon after the death of their son.

"I have agonised every day with the father and mother of James Webster ... It is such a dreadful tragedy.

"If there is any good that can come from something that is so, so sad, it is that maybe we can save the lives of another James Webster by fathers clearly spelling out to their sons that alcohol can be dangerous and binge drinking can kill you ... Binge drinking can kill you."

He then left the inquest - before coroner Gordon Matenga - in tears.

Alex Banks said he had encouraged James, a friend since third form, to drink but it was "only for fun ... It was fun at the time".

He encouraged him by telling him to keep drinking despite knowing he was drunk.

Alex shared a bottle of Jagermeister with James, who had his own bottle of the spirit hidden under a table.

The two took turns at having shots of it while they talked about the gym and girls.

James was getting drunker and drunker, falling asleep and "all over the place".

Alex said he gave him a bottle of water to sober him up but it had no effect.

Once he downed the water James then knocked back 50ml of vodka, "like it was nothing. He was basically gone from there".

Before the party they spoke about what they would do.

"We discussed at length the intention to get drunk and have a good time."

A lawyer acting for the Websters, Stuart Connolly, asked him why he brought alcohol to the party when the invitation said it was forbidden.

He answered: "James was doing it, so I thought I would do it."

- with NZPA