First pictures of Leeds and Creamfields revellers ‘killed by drugs’ in double Bank Holiday festival tragedy
Tributes paid as cops renew drug warnings to festival-goers
PICTURES of the two revellers who died at rival festivals after reportedly taking drugs over the Bank Holiday weekend have emerged.
Lewis Haunch, 17, was pronounced dead in hospital after collapsing at Leeds Festival on Saturday, while Joe Sheppard, 26, died at Creamfields Festival on Friday.
One reveller at the Leeds Festival, headlined by Red Hot Chili Peppers, believed she saw Lewis, from Leigh, Greater Manchester, after he collapsed.
Hayley Briggs said: “He was ashen, head-to-toe grey, totally not with it.
“He was being cradled by a first-aider and looked to be in and out of consciousness.”
Tributes have been paid to the teenager who a cousin described as "one of the most harmless, nicest lads I know".
Two 17-year-olds were later held in Greater Manchester on suspicion of drug offences.
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At Creamfields Festival 26-year-old Joe died after suffering breathing difficulties on Friday night.
Paramedics were called to the Cheshire festival but were unable to save the man, believed to be a father-of-one.
The company he worked for, JDM Garage UK, posted online: "It is with heartfelt sadness that we inform you our friend, college, employee Joe has passed away over night last night.
"JDM Garage will remain closed now until Tuesday 30th August. Our thoughts are with Joe's family at this difficult time."
Lewis' friends and family have been flooding social media with tributes to the teenager.
Charlie Heaton posted on Facebook: “Absolutely devastated that my cousin, one of the most harmless, nicest lads I know has been taken, can’t begin to describe the feeling. RIP Lewis, everyone is gonna miss you pal.”
Another cousin, Joe Heaton, added: “Just in absolute shock and speechless and can’t stop crying. My cousin Lewis died last night far too young. At just 17 years old, he was taken far too early from us all. What a kind innocent young man, who would never cause any harm to anybody. Let his memory live on! R.I.P.XX”.
Erica McGuinness wrote: “This morning my life changed forever; finding out that my best friend has passed away has to be one of the hardest, if not the hardest things I’ve ever had to deal with. Words can’t describe how much I’m missing you already and the hurt I’m experiencing trying to take it all in.
“Couldn’t ask for a better best friend and I’m just devastated it got cut too short. Nobody will ever replace you.
“Took way too early and you’ll be missed by so many. Don’t know how I’m going to cope but I’ll stay strong for you. I love you lots Lewis.”
A friend of Joe's family told the he "was a very big strong lad” and worked at a car garage in Bideford, North Devon.
They said: “He was a lovely, pleasant person. I’m lost for words to be honest.”
Following Lewis' death Leeds Festival’s Police Commander, Chief Superintendent Keith Gilert from West Yorkshire Police, said: “Our thoughts are naturally with the family of the young man at this time. At this time the indications are that the man consumed drugs immediately before he collapsed.
“I would though like to take this opportunity to remind anyone attending the Festival that there is no safe way to take drugs. Taking any illegal drug carries a risk to health and we would always advise people against it, but I would ask that people are particularly conscious of the risks following this young man’s death.
“In partnership with the organisers, Festival Republic, we will continue to take action against those who risk the lives of others by supplying drugs.”
Cheshire Police also renewed drugs warnings following Joe's death telling revellers “the constabulary wants to remind people that drug supply at Creamfields will not be tolerated, and officers will take robust action where necessary”.
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