Family speaks out over 'tainted ecstasy' deaths

The family of a clubber who died after taking ecstasy at an all-night rave today pleaded with other young people to stay away from drugs.

Lloyd Jones, 21, collapsed at Alexandra Palace last Friday. The next night, at the same north London venue, 20-year-old Richard Baker died after another party and a third man was left in a serious condition in hospital.

About 20 people were taken to hospital across London and the home counties in similar circumstances, amid fears that a super-strong or tainted batch of ecstasy could be circulating on the club scene.

The family of Mr Jones, who was from Oswestry in Shropshire, said he was "a loving son, brother, grandson and nephew who loved life.

"Although an inquest has been launched into Lloyd's death, and [there is] an appreciation that some form of substance may have been consumed during the evening, we ask anyone thinking of taking any illegal substances to refrain, even under duress from peer pressure, or to contact a support agency."

Mr Baker, a kitchen supervisor from Chessington, died after partying through the night at an event featuring leading DJ Pete Tong. Mr Baker's friend Greg Cornell, 20, a student, said: "Richard was the life and soul of the party, he just liked to have a good time. This has hit his friends and family really hard. If he did [take ecstasy] he kept it quiet."

Mr Baker worked at the Cap in Hand Wetherspoon's pub in Surbiton. His parents, Anthony and Kristina, were too upset to talk about his death.

Coroner Andrew Walker heard yesterday that the cause of death in the cases of both men, who did not know each other, was inconclusive. Both died at Whittington Hospital, and coroner's officer David Howard said it was believed they had taken "some illegal substances and alcohol".

The coroner granted another 24 hours for toxicology tests. Police have made no arrests.