Friends and family pay tribute to 17-year-olds who died at T in the Park after suspected drug use as festival faces axe
Festival organisers issue "dump your drugs" plea to revellers after Megan Bell and Peter McCallum died in separate incidents at the event in Scotland
THESE are pictures of the tragic 17-year-olds who died at T in the Park - released as the festival's future hangs in the balance.
Megan Bell and Peter MacCallum have been named locally as victims of what police suspect may be drugs related deaths.
Family and friends described Megan as "gorgeous", "bubbly" and a "lovely girl" while Peter's friend Ellena Davies tweeted "rip to one of my longest friends Peter MacCallum, so heartbreaking to witness something so horrible" .
Her aunt Joanne Thompson posted a message on Facebook saying: "Our gorgeous beautiful bubbly niece has fallen asleep I'm sitting here wishing it was all a bad dream."
Megan, reported to be from County Durham collapsed on the festival's Slam dance stage.
Bethanie Tindle posted: "Don't want to believe this, will never sink in this beautiful girl has left us way too early."
The second teenager to die at the festival has been named locally as Peter MacCallum, from Argyll, believed to have passed away in his tent.
Friend, Josh Coates tweeted "Wish I could have spent more time with him, but he will always be gone but never forgotten".
Police have said the deaths are not believed to be linked and are not being treated as suspicious.
Liz Smith, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife said the event's licence is issued on a year-to-year basis following widespread safety concerns.
She told the:"I think many people – including myself – gave DF Concerts the benefit of the doubt that they could sort the problems for 2016.
"Sadly, however, this year's deaths will raise yet more questions about public safety – rightly so.
"In particular, it will raise questions about whether everything possible really is being done to safeguard the safety of those who attend the event."
Following the deaths festival director Geoff Ellis said: “We are shocked and saddened by today’s news and our thoughts are with the families and friends at this time.
“We are offering our full support and assistance.”
The festival, headlined by The Stone Roses, Calvin Harris and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, has also made a plea to revellers to "dump your drugs" and put amnesty bins in the campsite.
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Perth and Kinross licensing committee member John Flynn, has told the : "It is regrettable that this happened.
"DF Concerts try to pull all the stops out with security, but if there is a problem with drugs then we need to look at this and if it means airport like security then so be it."
Asked if the incidents could impact of the renewal of the licence, he said: "If security is found to be lacking it would be looked at. That is why they only got one year because they had to sharpen up."
The three day event at Strathallan Castle, Perthshire, is expected to attract more than 80,000 people over the weekend.
Police have joined the festival's organisers in warning party-goers that there is no safe way to take drugs.
Chief Superintendent Angela McLaren said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the two young people involved.
“We are continuing to investigate these deaths and are following lines of enquiry, including the possibility that they may be drug related.
“I would remind all persons attending the festival that there is no safe way of taking drugs.
“Anyone who has any concerns for themselves or others at the festival should contact festival staff, police officers or medics for assistance.”
A teen was also rushed to hospital after reportedly collapsing after drinking a drink which friends fear may have been spiked. Thieves at the music festival have also made off with an on-site cash machine containing thousands of pounds.
There have been deaths at the festival, in previous years.
A 36-year-old man was found dead in the toilets in 2015 and a 24-year-old man collapsed and died during the night in 2010.