A teenager who is believed to have died after falling ill and taking drugs at a festival has been described as a beautiful and warm character by his family. David Celino, 16, from Salford, died in the early hours of Sunday, August 28.
He had been attending Leeds Festival and fell ill on Saturday night, appearing at the medical tent. He was taken to hospital from Branham Park, where the festival was being held, and was later pronounced dead.
Police are still appealing for information about how David came by his death, whilst his family have now paid tribute to him. A statement on behalf of his family has been released by West Yorkshire Police, the Manchester Evening News reports.
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The statement says: "Our David was a beautiful, fiercely independent and warm character who lived every day at 110% and who loved to spend time enjoying music with his friends. He had just received fabulous GCSE results, got into college, and had hoped to study computer science at a top university.
"Leeds Festival was the highlight of his summer. Ultimately, it was to take his life in the most unfair, cruel and horrible way, and we are broken."
Police believe the 16-year-old was taken ill after taking a particular type of ecstasy, described as a grey or black oblong tablet, although the exact cause of his death has not yet been established to confirm or deny this line of enquiry. Speaking after David's death, 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."
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