Child believed to be youngest ever ecstasy death

A 10-year-old girl who died after becoming unwell while visiting a house with a friend is believed to have become the youngest victim of the drug ecstasy, it emerged today.

Police were investigating the possibility that Jade Slack swallowed ecstasy while at the house.

Two women and a man, aged between 18 and 20, were being quizzed by detectives into the circumstances surrounding her death.

Jade was taken ill yesterday afternoon while with a friend, also aged 10, at a house near her home in Galgate, Lancaster, Lancashire.

Police believe the occupants of the house were known to Jade’s friend. The youngster was taken to Lancaster Royal Infirmary, where she died yesterday evening.

Detective Superintendent Ian Jones, who is leading the inquiry, said a number of items were seized from the house and from one of the people in custody.

He said: "We have reason to believe this may be ecstasy.

"While we cannot at this stage confirm that Jade died directly as a result of this, it is obviously a strong line of inquiry."

Mr Jones said a post-mortem examination and toxicology tests would be carried out.

A spokesman for drug charity DrugScope said that if ecstasy was found to have killed Jade, she would be the youngest victim of the Class A substance.

He said: "If it’s proved to be the case that ecstasy was the cause of her death it will be the youngest reported case that we are aware of.

"It’s a complete tragedy for the family involved."

At the family home in Meadow Park, Galgate, Jade’s father, a local milkman, was in tears. He declined to comment.

A police officer outside the semi-detached dormer bungalow, said members of the family were too distressed to speak.

Barbara White, head teacher of Ellel St John’s Primary School, where Jade was a pupil, said: "Everyone at the school is terribly shocked by the tragic death of Jade at the weekend.

"She was a bubbly, popular girl who will be greatly missed by us all.

"Jade was in many of the school sports teams and scored in the last football match.

"She will be remembered for her friendly nature and ready smile."

A neighbour said: "You used to see her playing in the streets. She was a lovely little girl.

"Everyone will be shocked because her family is so well-known."