Boy of 17 dies and 3 in hospital ‘af ter party drug tragedy’
Friends pay tribute to talented young rugby player
A SCHOOLBOY died and three teens were taken to hospital in a suspected ecstasy tragedy.
Brandon Rice, 17, collapsed at a house in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, in the early hours of Wednesday.
The young rugby player was taken to hospital but later passed away.
Two girls, aged 16 and 17, and a 16-year-old boy were also given medical treatment but are not believed to be in a serious condition.
The youngster’s death came only a day after Scotland was revealed to have the worst record for drug deaths in the developed world.
Friends of Brandon have taken to social media to pay tribute to him.
Molly Farquharson wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m never one to do things like this but my best friend deserves all the love and respect in the world.
‘Safe to say I’ve never been more heartbroken in my entire life, Brandon you were the absolute world to me.
‘You kept my head screwed on for me when I needed it most, always kept me going in the right direction.
‘You never failed to be there for me, or give me the world as much as a best friend could. You were like a brother I never had.’
She added: ‘I will honestly love you from the bottom of my heart forever and I’ll never forget your cheesy wee grin. Here’s to you, never forgotten and always loved.’
Brandon had just finished his fifth year at Hamilton Grammar School and was said to have recently enjoyed a weekend at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow with friends.
He played for Hamilton Rugby Club and a photo posted on social media showed him proudly wearing the club’s top.
Jamie Murray wrote on Instagram: ‘Never thought I would have to experience something like this in my life but sadly my best pal passed last night.
‘You were more than my best pal mate, you were family and you always wanted to make everyone smile. You are the strongest and most pure person I know and this has hit me hard.
‘Nothing will ever be the same with out you mate. There’s so much a can and want to say but can’t because my heads everywhere mate but a feel so lost without you. You will never be forgotten bro and will always be on my mind and in my heart.’
Police Scotland said: ‘About 3.30am on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, officers attended a house in Pitreavie Court in Hamilton following the report that a 17-yearold male youth had taken unwell.
‘He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to the University Hospital Hairmyres, where he died.
‘A post-mortem will take place to establish his cause of death which is currently being treated as unexplained. A report will be sent to the procurator fiscal. Two female youths, aged 16 and 17 years, and another male youth, aged 16 years, who were also in the property at the time were taken to the University Hospital Hairmyres as a precaution.
‘They are not believed to be seriously ill.’
A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council said: ‘We have been made aware of the very sad death of a former pupil.
‘We will of course assist the police in any way that we can with their enquiries and our sincere condolences go to the family and friends.’
This week it emerged drug deaths in Scotland have reached nearly 1,200 a year, or more than three a day.
The latest tragedy comes after the death of new mother Rebecca Tollan, 23, who died in the early hours of Monday in nearby Bellshill, Lanarkshire after a suspected cocaine overdose.
And earlier this month, Chelsea Bruce, 16, died after reportedly taking ecstasy at a house in Springburn, Glasgow.