Worried parents have spoken of the emotional toll Leeds Festival takes on them as they spend four days worrying about their children.
It follows the tragic death of a 16-year-old boy, with parents in Leeds sending their thoughts to his loved ones, and 'chaos' on the last night, in which tents were set alight and some 'terrified' fans fled in the middle of the night, only to find they had no way of getting home. Two girls, aged 17, also reported being spiked with an injection.
Police believe the boy died from a suspected drug overdose and said an investigation is underway. The shocking news has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from parents who say it is their biggest fear during festival season.
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Parents and family members of festival goers also described how immensely worrying they find it when their children attend because they fear they will not come back home. Many have called for tougher drug testing at the festival and harsher sentences for dealers, while others say under 18s should be accompanied by an adult.
Marjorie Hall wrote on Facebook: "Hope our niece comes home safe tomorrow. It's stressful but you have to let them grow up and hope you've done your job well. Tragic though."
Nikki Collins said: "My 17-year-old came home today a day early.. soft a** man flu but I have to say I’m very glad it’s over for me. Both my kids have now done Leeds fest and it’s bloody stressful as a parent."
Sarah Louise Pettinger commented: "I really could not imagine what his poor parents are going though. This happened when I took my 14-year-old, it was all over the screens on the main stage."
Susan Clough Humphrys said: "Maybe a good idea to start putting the dogs in to track the ones that are selling/giving it down. This isn’t the first year it’s happened and I’m sure it won’t be the last. As a parent I could never imagine what it’s like to lose a loved one in this way. Condolences to his family and friends."
Jada Lucina wrote: "One every year", followed by a crying emoji. To which Carla Bland replied: "I said this to my daughters. I went on and on about not doing anything. They wouldn’t anyway but I still worry so much! So sad. So young! 16."
Following the boy's death, Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson of West Yorkshire Police, said an investigation was underway.
She said: "Our thoughts are with the family of the boy who has died, and we have officers supporting them at this very difficult time. While the exact cause of his death is yet to be established, one line of enquiry is that he had taken a particular type of ecstasy (MDMA) tablet, which was described as a grey or black oblong shape.
“At this moment in time this is believed to be an isolated incident as we have not received any similar reports. Users of any drug which is not professionally prescribed can never be sure of their contents and the risks involved with taking the substance."
ACC Hankinson added: "Anyone who does feel ill after taking any substance should seek urgent medical attention. We are continuing to conduct enquiries on site and are liaising closely with the event organisers."
Anyone with any information about what happened is encouraged to contact West Yorkshire Police on 101, via their security on site, or by using Live Chat on their website.
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