Sad: Girl, 15, collapsed and died of heart attack ‘after taking ecstasy’

'Drugs victim': Martha Fernback, 15, pictured here with her rabbit Bluebell, died after apparently taking ecstasy

‘Drugs victim’: Martha Fernback, 15, pictured here with her rabbit Bluebell, died after apparently taking ecstasy

A 15-year-old girl collapsed and died from a heart attack in a park after apparently taking ecstasy.

Martha Fernback suddenly fell ill in a park in Oxford after taking what she believed was the Class A drug, police said today.

The teenager’s family today described her as a ‘beautiful girl’ whose sudden death had left them ‘utterly devastated’.

In a statement issued via Thames Valley Police today, they said: ‘Our beautiful girl was taken away from us yesterday.

‘She was the most extraordinary, effervescent human being and all her family and friends felt so privileged to have known her.

‘We are all utterly devastated and have sought such comfort in the beautiful condolences we have received from everyone.’

Officers who are treating Martha’s death as ‘unexplained’ attended Hinksey Park and she was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, but later died.

A post-mortem examination will be conducted tomorrow but the results of toxicology and histology tests are not likely to be known for several weeks.

A 17-year-old boy from the Oxford area has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug in connection with the inquiry.

The death of Martha has prompted detectives to issue a warning to young people to avoid dabbling with illegal drugs such as MDMA.

Detective Inspector Brendan Murray said: ‘Firstly our thoughts are very much with Martha’s family, who have been left devastated and distraught by her death.

‘Following our initial inquiries we now understand Martha had taken a substance earlier that day which she believed was MDMA.

‘It would be wrong to speculate on what this substance was or what caused her death, as the investigation is still at an early stage.

Park death: Martha Fernback, 15, died after having a heart attack in Hinksey Park (pictured), Oxford, on Saturday afternoonPark death: Martha Fernback, 15, died after having a heart attack in Hinksey Park (pictured), Oxford, on Saturday afternoon

‘A full post-mortem examination will be carried out tomorrow, which will include toxicology and histology tests. It is likely to be several weeks before the results of these tests are known.

‘I would strongly urge young people not to take or experiment with illegal drugs such as MDMA. They are extremely dangerous and often contain poisons and illicit chemicals which can prove fatal.’

Tributes to Martha were paid on Twitter. One wrote: ‘r.i.p martha fernback. you will never be forgotten, you have so many people that love you. rest in peace angel.’

Another tweeted: ‘R.I.P Martha Fernback heaven has gained a new angel!’ On Facebook, a page dedicated to her memory had gained 1,300 ‘likes’.

A message posted on the page read: ‘Her cause of death is under investigation. We are all devastated and in shock.’

One message of condolence on the page read: ‘Such a special creature, such an ever-sparkling little thing.’ Another poster wrote: ‘Martha was a beautiful young soul stolen from us for heaven.’

A spokeswoman for the South Central Ambulance Service said they received a call from a member of the public at about 1.17pm yesterday to report a teenage girl in cardiac arrest.

She said a helicopter, an ambulance crew, a paramedic, an officer and an air ambulance were sent to the scene.

Read more: Daily Mail

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