Teenager’s death shocks residents
Residents have spoken of their shock and fears after the drug death of a teenager on their estate.
Police were called to the Coach Road Estate in Washington just before 3.50pm on Saturday to assist an 18-yearold man, who had reportedly fallen ill after taking MDMA.
He was pronounced dead and it later turned out that the tragedy was one of four apparently drug-related deaths in the region over the weekend.
Two 18-year-old female Newcastle University students were found dead, after having apparently taken ketamine, and a 21-year-old male Northumbria University student died after reportedly also taking MDMA.
A total of 11 arrests have now been made as inquiries into the four deaths continues
But neighbours of the Washington teenager who lost his life have been left shocked by his death.
Vicky Hannington is mum to 17- year-old Dylan and 15-year-old Jessica, she said: “It is very frightening.
"I do worry about it. My son is almost 18 and my daughter is 16 soon. They are autistic, so they are not going to be out partying, but if they were I would be really worried.”
Vicky, 41, said she walked past the flat where the dead teenager was found shortly after the police arrived on Saturday afternoon.
She said: “There were four police cars and as I was walking through the estate, there was another police car and a police van driving around. I thought they were patrolling the Coach Road.”
One lady who lives opposite the flat described seeing several people being brought out, apparently under arrest.
She said: "We did not see much but there were three ambulances and four police cars.
"There were two or three lads brought out in handcuffs and a girl as well. Then they were just sat in the car.
"Our reaction was just disbelief really – you can’t believe that something like this c.an happen on your doorstep.
"We feel heartbroken for his parents.”
Residents say the estate has a few minor social disorder problems but was usually pretty quiet.
One lady said: “We just keep ourselves to ourselves.
"It is absolutely disgusting what has happened – a young man just starting his life. People sell this stuff just so they can make money. "It’s not right." Another added: “I feel so sad – I feel sorry for his parents.”
Jeni Larmour, from Northern Ireland, has been named locally as one of the 18-yearold Newcastle University students who died. The names of the other three people who lost their lives have not yet been released.
Northumbria Police has advised students who wish to dispose of drugs to contact their university’s wellbeing teams.
Residents can also visit their local police station, where their details will be taken and public health advice issued, before substances are disposed of on a case-by-case basis.
Chief Inspector Steve Wykes said students in possession of illegal drugs should contact their university wellbeing teams or visit a police station to dispose of them.
"We also don’t want anyone else being put at risk if they are not disposed of responsibly, for example if they are left somewhere where they could be picked up.”