RockNess: Death of teenager at festival sparks police 'legal high' warning

The teenager who died at the Rockness music festival has been described as "happy, caring, kind, loyal and affectionate" by his parents.

Alex Herriot, 19, collapsed in the main area at the festival on Saturday night. He is thought to have taken drugs.

The teenager, from Portobello in Edinburgh, was taken to the hospital tent and stabilised before being transferred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

Police said he failed to respond to treatment and died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Following his death his parents released a statement describing their "unbearable" loss.

They said: "He was beautiful both on the outside and the inside where it matters most. He loved his life.

"The fact that we will not be seeing him wandering around the house with his laptop playing his music, teasing his sister and asking if there was any food and could he have a bus fare please is unbearable."

Mr and Mrs Herriot added: "As a young man who enjoyed life it was unfortunate he chose to experiment with a drug that had such a catastrophic effect on his system.

"We are devastated that we have lost him but anything he did, in every area of his life, was done with good intent, in this case to get the most out of his festival experience."

His parents also urged other young people to avoid drugs, they said: "Alex was not a habitual drug user. We know that young people dabble in drugs and Alex had been warned to steer clear.

"Please, please be aware that certain drugs can kill, and please don't be the next youngster to leave their family bereft."

Police have issued a warning about the dangers of so-called legal highs following the death of a teenager at the RockNess music festival at the weekend.

A Northern Constabulary spokesman said: "Early indications are that the man may have consumed drugs and this is one of the lines of inquiry at this stage. A post mortem will be carried out to determine the cause of death. His next of kin have been informed."

A report is to be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

The death came as two people were taken to Raigmore Hospital in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The 19-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man are believed to have taken a so-called legal high named BENZO FURY. The substance is not controlled, but can be dangerous if consumed with other substances. The man and woman remain in hospital but their conditions are not thought to be life-threatening.

Superintendent Stevie Mackay, who is in charge of policing the event, said: "Taking drugs or any medicines, which you have not been prescribed, is an extremely risky thing to do.

"People may think that legal highs are safe, because they are not classed as a controlled drug, but they are extremely dangerous. If anyone has the tablets described or any other drug, whether controlled or a "legal high", in their possession, they are advised not to take them and to hand these in."

Public Health Constultant Dr Cameron Stark said: "Our advice is simple: limit how much alcohol you drink, and don’t take non-prescribed drugs. If however you have taken non prescribed drugs including "legal highs”, it is really important that you don’t combine them with alcohol.

"If you feel unwell or you are worried about a friend, please get immediate advice from the onsite medical team."

Festival Organiser Jim King added: "What should be very clear from this information is that legal highs does not mean safe, and customers should not go anywhere near these dangerous substances. Festival goers should heed the advice given to them by the health professionals and the police, and stay safe by avoiding drugs of any kind."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Northern Constabulary on 01463 715 555.

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