Four suspected drug deaths in Newcastle

Ten people have been arrested after two 18-year-old women, and two men, aged 18 and 21, were found unresponsive at addresses over the weekend.

The students were from Newcastle and Northumbria universities and police have said a large-scale investigation is ongoing as illegal drugs are suspected to have been a factor in the deaths.

Chief Inspector Steve Wykes said: “This weekend we have seen the tragic loss of four young lives and our thoughts continue to be with the family and friends of those who have sadly died.

“Although our investigations are at an early stage and we continue to establish the circumstances around these tragedies, we want to reiterate our warning to people against taking drugs for recreational use.

“The consequences could cost you your life.”

Police received the first report of an unresponsive woman at an address on Richardson Road shortly after 6.05am on Saturday.

The 18-year-old, who was a student at Newcastle University, is believed to have taken a quantity of ketamine and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A possible reference to the tragedies on the windows of student accommodation in Newcastle 

An 18-year-old male was arrested on suspicion of supplying a Class B drug and has since been released on police bail.

Then, just before 3.50pm on Saturday, police were called to a report of a cardiac arrest at a property on Coach Road Estate, Washington, where an 18-year-old had reportedly taken MDMA, or ecstasy, and fallen ill.

Officers and emergency services attended but the man, who is not a university student, was pronounced dead a short time after.

Seven people were arrested in connection with this incident and have since been released under investigation.

On Sunday, shortly after 8am, officers were alerted to a report that a 21-year-old student from Northumbria University had taken ill at an address on Melbourne Street, Newcastle.

It is suspected he had taken a quantity of MDMA.

He was transported to hospital, but died a short time later.

A 20-year-old male arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs has since been released on police bail.

A Northumbria University spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to confirm that one of the young people who died over the weekend was a Northumbria University student. We are in contact with the student’s family and friends to offer any support we can do at this tragic time.

“As this is an on-going police investigation we are unable to offer any further comment.”

At around 1.10pm on Sunday, police received a further call to the same building on Richardson Road, where the first woman had been found.

The 18-year-old student had died.

It is believed ketamine had been present at the address.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug and has been released on police bail.

Officers following the search at student accommodation on Richardson Road 

Police have confirmed they carried out a number of consent-based room searches at student accommodation with drugs dogs, in collaboration with student wellbeing teams at Newcastle University and further patrols will be carried out today.

Ch Insp Wykes added: “We will continue to work with both universities and will be increasing our patrols in the areas where these tragedies have occurred.

“We would urge anyone with any information in relation to these tragedies to come forward – even the smallest piece of information could help us.

"If anyone has any information about who has supplied the drugs in question then we would also encourage them to contact us at the earliest opportunity."

Newcastle University has confirmed two of the young people who died were students.

A spokesman said: “We are devastated to learn of a second death at our university and our wellbeing teams are providing support to those affected.

“The health and safety of our students is our utmost priority and in light of the sad and shocking events of this weekend our Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Day, has with great sadness written to all our students this morning informing them of the distressing news and offering support to anyone affected.

“In light of the warning from Northumbria Police and Public Health that drugs may be a factor in these and a further two deaths in our region, the Vice-Chancellor also wrote to all students last night to remind them of the dangers of illegal drugs and directing them to our Wellbeing Service if they need any help or support.

“Students who are found with illegal substances are subject to disciplinary procedures ranging from fines to expulsion from the University.

“We would urge anyone with relevant information to contact Northumbria Police on 101 and any student who needs help or wants to speak to us about this, please contact the Wellbeing team.

“As this is an active police investigation, we are unable to provide further comment at this time.”

The new student village is near the RVI in Newcastle 

In his message to students, Professor Chris Day said the whole university community had been affected by the deaths.

He said: “It is with the greatest sadness that I am writing to inform you that over the weekend, two of your fellow students have tragically lost their lives.

“We are all heartbroken and our thoughts and condolences are with their families, friends and loved ones at this most difficult of times.

“We know that many of you will be affected by this distressing news.

“All those who were friends of the students or who have been directly affected by their deaths are receiving support from our wellbeing team and if there is anyone else who needs help or wants to speak to us about this, please contact the team at ncl.ac.uk/wellbeing/

“The loss of these two young lives from our University has been felt acutely across our whole community and the University Executive Team is working closely with the Students’ Union and the Police to understand what support can be put in place.

“Investigations are still at an early stage and we are supporting the police in every way we can to help them establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.”