Police drug alert after deaths at festivals

TWO PEOPLE died at music festivals in the North of England at the weekend prompting warnings from police chiefs that action will be taken against those supplying drugs.

A 26-year-old man died at Creamfields Festival in Cheshire after concerns about his well-being were raised on Friday night.

The following afternoon, West Yorkshire Police were called to the Leeds Festival, where a 17-year-old boy had been taken ill.

Police said Lewis Haunch, from Leigh in Greater Manchester, was taken to hospital on Saturday afternoon after taking drugs.

A spokesman said they were contacted by staff at the music festival in Wetherby’s Bramham Park at 4.45pm.

They reported a festival-goer had been taken to hospital by an ambulance in a critical condition.

The spokesman said Lewis underwent emergency treatment at St James’ Hospital in Leeds but was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

Two teenagers were arrested in the Greater Manchester area and were being questioned by detectives yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Keith Gilert, the Leeds Festival’s police commander, 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.”

Investigations into Lewis Haunch’s death and how he got the drugs are ongoing. Police

have indicated that he took the drugs immediately before collapsing.

One festival-goer said she believed she saw the teenager as he was being treated by medics before Yorkshire Ambulance Service arrived at the site.

Hayley Briggs said: “It was right outside the guest area and the guy just looked in a very bad way.

“He was being cradled by one of the first aiders before the ambulance arrived.”

The 17-year-old boys being questioned by police were arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs. A spokesman said a report would be sent to the Coroner in due course.

Chief Supt Gilert added: “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.”

Meanwhile, Cheshire Police was continuing its investigations into the death at Creamfields in Daresbury.

A spokesman said: “On Friday night, we were notified following concerns for a man in one of the campsites and, sadly, a 26-year-old man from the Cornwall area passed away.

“Formal ID is to take place and we are awaiting the results of the post mortem examination to establish the cause of death. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

He said action would be taken against those who tried to bring illegal drugs onto the festival site.

Two teenagers died at this year’s T in the Park Festival, which was held at Strathallan Castle in Perthshire in July.

The deaths of Megan Ball and Peter McCallum, both 17, were being treated separately, but police were look at whether drugs were involved in both cases.