A teenager died after a suspected drug overdose at Leeds Festival, police have confirmed. The 16-year-old boy was rushed to hospital after he suddenly fell ill at the festival, shortly before 10.30pm on Saturday night (August 27).
Sadly, he was pronounced dead on Sunday. West Yorkshire Police believe he may have taken MDMA at the festival and have launched an investigation into his death.
Specialist officers are supporting the young man's family and believe it to be an 'isolated incident' at this time. One line of enquiry police are probing is that the teenager had taken a tablet, which is 'black or grey' and an 'oblong shape' , the Mirror reports.
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A spokesman for the force said: "Police have launched an investigation following a suspected drugs related death of a teenager at Leeds Festival. Officers were called at about 10.16pm on Saturday and were informed a 16-year-old male had been taken to the medical tent after falling ill.
"He was taken to hospital but tragically died earlier today. His parents have been informed."
Assistant Chief Constable Catherine Hankinson, of West Yorkshire Police, 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.
"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.”
It comes after Leeds Festival organisers issued a warning to those heading to the event over the rise of ecstasy deaths. On the festival website, organisers warned that in recent years the amount of MDMA found in tablets has been increasing.
The website stated: "Ecstasy deaths appear to be rising year on year. There appears to be a link with the amount of MDMA found in tablets more recently. In 2005 each pill contained around 80mg of MDMA. Some recent pills have tested upwards of 250mg MDMA. This could be firmly in the fatal overdose range.
"A combination of factors are at play such as body weight, hormone levels, mixing with other drugs including alcohol, underlying health and so on. There is no safe dose."
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