I was Needle Spiked in a Nightclub on My First Holiday With Friends
I was needle spiked in a nightclub – Taylor Coulter, an 18-year-old from Port Glasgow, Inverclyde, required hospital care after being spiked with a date rape drug during her first trip abroad with friends. The incident occurred in Magaluf’s renowned Bananas nightclub on 21 June, leaving her with fragmented memories of the night. Taylor was heading back from the restroom when a stranger collided with her on the stairs, causing a sharp pain in her arm. “I felt a liquid run through my whole body,” she recounted, describing the sudden effect of the substance.
A Rapid Loss of Control
Within seconds of the encounter, Taylor became incapacitated by the drug, which was administered via a needle. “It just kind of took over me,” she said, reflecting on how quickly she lost awareness. Her friends, who were nearby, quickly intervened, guiding her to the toilet where she vomited before returning to their hotel. Despite the trauma, Taylor’s survival was credited to her companions’ quick action.
“I never really thought it would happen to me and when it did, I was very surprised at how fast it takes over,” Taylor said.
Medical tests later confirmed she had been injected with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a potent sedative linked to date rape cases. The drug also suppresses memory formation, leaving Taylor with gaps in her recollection. Doctors expressed concern about potential infections from the needle, prompting her to begin anti-viral treatment for HIV and hepatitis.
Impact on Her Sports Career
Nearly three weeks after the incident, Taylor’s physical recovery is still underway. She struggles to walk long distances and has been unable to train with Greenock Morton Women FC, her team in Scotland. “It’s had a massive impact on things that were easy for me like running and cycling,” she explained, adding that even simple exercises leave her exhausted.
The ordeal has also delayed her move to the US, where she is set to pursue a football scholarship at Louisiana State University. Taylor described the experience as a “double blow” to her plans, emphasizing how it has disrupted her life and ambitions.
A Test of Trust and Friendship
Taylor’s first solo trip abroad was meant to be a celebration of her graduation from secondary school. Accompanied by 16 friends, she had hoped to enjoy the Mallorcan resort without her parents. “My parents weren’t going to let me go on holiday originally,” she said, recalling her efforts to convince them. She was finally given approval just days before the group’s departure.
“They took control of the situation—really switched on, really good,” Stuart Coulter, Taylor’s father, said of his daughter’s friends. “What they’ve done is basically saved Taylor because she was in no fit state to do anything for.”
Stuart shared how the family was alerted to the incident late at night via a video call from Taylor’s best friend. “You’re always on edge when your kids are on holiday,” he said, describing the moment they saw her name on the screen. The friends’ vigilance, he added, provided critical support during Taylor’s vulnerable state.
The Bananas Club has been contacted for comment, but no official response has been released. For Taylor, the event has reshaped her perspective on safety and friendship. “It’s taught me the true meaning of being there for someone,” she said, grateful for the loyalty of her companions during a harrowing night.
