Festival organisers have spoken out at their devastation as two people are fighting for lives after drug overdoses at Reminisce Festival.
A 19-year-old woman and a man, aged 22, are thought to have taken MDMA, also known as ecstasy, at the Reminisce Festival in St Helens, Merseyside before falling ill.
Police confirmed that more people had been take to hospital at the festival having taken drugs.
Earlier, event staff tweeted to say that they believed some “bad blue diamond pills” were in circulation and to contact medical staff on site if they were concerned.
Event organiser Lee Butler said: “I’m absolutely gutted to hear this news.
“Having children exactly the same age, I can’t stop thinking about them. I’m just praying they both pull through.”
Det Insp Paul Grounds, of Merseyside Police, said: “I want to reassure those affected that we are doing everything possible to identify exactly what substance or substances have resulted in these severe reactions, working alongside the health service.
“We initially believe that ecstasy tablets were taken by some of those in hospital but this is all subject to further enquiries.
“I would urge anyone else who has had an adverse reaction to any substance to make themselves known to medical services as soon as possible.
“Likewise, if you are still in possession of any drugs from the event, please do not take them under any circumstances but let us know and we will recover them for further enquiries to be made.”