A boy of 13 is still fighting for his life in hospital after taking a drug thought to be ecstasy which left him ‘shaking all over and sweating’.
Today police confirmed the youngster remains in a critical condition after he was found collapsed at Timperley Metrolink station at 4.30pm on Saturday.
Officers suspect the boy had taken a type of ecstasy known as ‘magic’.
A witness has described how he was being teased by friends and was ‘shaking all over and sweating’ on board a tram before it pulled into Timperley station.
She said: “I was sat on the tram. The lad was in front of me. He was shaking all over and sweating. His mates... were smirking, thinking he was a bit of a light weight. His female friend told them to stop it. Then they got off at Timperley tram station.”
Another said the the boy ‘looked in a very bad way’.
Last month three girls, all aged 12, were taken to hospital in a critical condition after taking ecstasy nicknamed ‘teddy tablets’ in Salford precinct . In May, a boy of 16 ended up in hospital after taking an ecstasy tablet called ‘rockstar’ in Oldham. All four later recovered.
But Faye Allen, 17, died after taking a double-strength ecstasy tablet called ‘mastercard’ during a dance night at Victoria Warehouse in Trafford Park .
Following the latest incident, Greater Manchester Police said the drug has not been confirmed although they suspect it is ecstasy, also known as MDMA.
Inspector John Cave said: “It is very early stages and we are still working to establish exactly what drug he has taken however the boy is very poorly and we want to urge anyone who may have also taken the drug to get checked out at hospital as soon as possible.
“It is critical that young people understand the implications of taking drugs and would urge that they think twice before doing so. People taking these drugs don’t know what they contain or the effect they will have – it’s not worth the risk of ending up in hospital or even losing a life.
“If anyone is in possession of these drugs I would urge them to hand them in to the police, a chemist or other medical practitioner immediately, and if you have taken any themselves that they go to hospital as a precaution.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
For help or advice on all drugs Talk to Frank on 0800 777 6600 or visit www.talktofrank.com
