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Two held on suspicion of drug offences after death at Leeds festival Two held on suspicion of drug offences after death at Leeds festival
(about 2 hours later)
Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of drug offences following the death of a 17-year-old at Leeds festival. Two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of drug offences following the death of a 17-year-old at the Leeds festival.
The boy, from the Greater Manchester area, collapsed immediately after ingesting an unspecified substance on Saturday evening. He was rushed to St James’s hospital in a critical condition but was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, West Yorkshire police said. Lewis Haunch, from Leigh, near Wigan, Greater Manchester, collapsed immediately after taking the unspecified substance on Saturday evening.
Police are questioning two teenagers, both also aged 17, in Greater Manchester on suspicion of drug offences. He was rushed to St James’s hospital in a critical condition but was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, West Yorkshire police said.
Leeds festival’s police commander, Ch Supt Keith Gilert, issued a warning after the deaths about the danger of taking drugs, which followed concerns about the sale of ecstasy with child-friendly logos after a number of scares involving children. Police are questioning two teenagers, both aged 17, in Greater Manchester on suspicion of drug offences.
Gilert said: “Our thoughts are naturally with the family of the young man at this time. They were made aware of the incident by officers as soon as possible and were assisted to attend the hospital as quickly as possible. We will continue to support them through this difficult time. We are currently investigating the death and how he obtained the substance he took. At this time the indications are that the man consumed drugs immediately before before he collapsed. A report will be sent to the coroner in due course.” Leeds festival’s police commander, Ch Supt Keith Gilert, issued a warning after the death about the danger of taking drugs, which followed concerns about the sale of ecstasy with child-friendly logos after a number of scares involving children.
The dance act Disclosure headlined the main stage of the three-day festival on Saturday night, with US rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers due to close proceedings later on Sunday. Gilert said: “Our thoughts are naturally with the family of the young man at this time. They were made aware of the incident by officers as soon as possible and were assisted to attend the hospital as quickly as possible. We will continue to support them through this difficult time.
“We are currently investigating the death and how he obtained the substance he took. At this time the indications are that the man consumed drugs immediately before he collapsed. A report will be sent to the coroner in due course.”
Friends and family paid tribute to the “kind, innocent” teenager on social media.
Joe Heaton wrote on Facebook: “Just in absolute shock and speechless and can’t stop crying. My cousin Lewis died last night far too young. At just 17 years old, he was taken far too early from us all. What a kind innocent young man, who would never cause any harm to anybody. Let his memory live on! R.I.P.XX”
Another cousin, Charlie Heaton, added: “Absolutely devastated that my cousin, one of the most harmless, nicest lads I know has been taken, can’t begin to describe the feeling. RIP Lewis, everyone is gonna miss you pal.”
Erica McGuinness said she was “hoping someone will turn around and say it’s a mistake” as she paid tribute to Lewis, who she said was her best friend.
She wrote: “Nobody will ever replace you, I hope you look down on me and your other friends and be proud. Took [away] too early and you’ll be missed by so many. Don’t know how I’m going to cope but I’ll stay strong for you. I love you lots Lewis.”
The dance act Disclosure headlined the main stage of the three-day festival on Saturday night, with Red Hot Chili Peppers due to close proceedings later on Sunday.
Gilert added: “I would though like to take this opportunity to remind anyone attending the festival that there is no safe way to take drugs. Taking any illegal drug carries a risk to health and we would always advise people against it, but I would ask that people are particularly conscious of the risks following this young man’s death. In partnership with the organisers, Festival Republic, we will continue to take action against those who risk the lives of others by supplying drugs. Anyone who has any concerns for either themselves or others at the festival should contact festival site or security staff or seek medical assistance.”Gilert added: “I would though like to take this opportunity to remind anyone attending the festival that there is no safe way to take drugs. Taking any illegal drug carries a risk to health and we would always advise people against it, but I would ask that people are particularly conscious of the risks following this young man’s death. In partnership with the organisers, Festival Republic, we will continue to take action against those who risk the lives of others by supplying drugs. Anyone who has any concerns for either themselves or others at the festival should contact festival site or security staff or seek medical assistance.”
A crackdown on drugs at Creamfields festival in Daresbury, Cheshire, led to 24 people being arrested in the first 24 hours of the gates opening. 22 arrests were on suspicion of dealing and two people were held on suspicion of drugs possession, Cheshire police said. A crackdown on drugs at Creamfields festival in Daresbury, Cheshire, led to 24 people being arrested in the first 24 hours – 22 arrests were on suspicion of dealing and two people were held on suspicion of drugs possession, Cheshire police said.
Police are awaiting the results of a postmortem examination of a 26-year-old man from Cornwall who died at the festival on Friday night.Police are awaiting the results of a postmortem examination of a 26-year-old man from Cornwall who died at the festival on Friday night.
The 17-year-old’s death at Leeds festival comes after a series of drug scares involving children as young as 12 over the summer. Last month a 13-year-old boy was hospitalised after swallowing a tablet nicknamed “magic”. In June three 12-year-old girls were hospitalised after swallowing ecstasy “teddy tablets” at Salford Precinct shopping centre. One of the girls fell into a coma after ingesting three of the tablets apparently believing they were sweets. Two days later, two 13-year-olds in north Manchester fell ill after taking ecstasy. The 17-year-old’s death at Leeds festival comes after a series of drug scares involving children as young as 12 over the summer. Last month, a 13-year-old boy was hospitalised after swallowing a tablet nicknamed “magic”. In June, three 12-year-old girls were hospitalised after swallowing ecstasy “teddy tablets” at Salford Precinct shopping centre. One of the girls fell into a coma after ingesting three of the tablets apparently believing they were sweets. Two days later, two 13-year-olds in north Manchester fell ill after taking ecstasy.