T in the Park: Police say deaths of two 17-year-olds are being treated separately and may be drug related

POLICE are investigating the deaths of a 17-year-old male from the west of Scotland and a 17-year-old female from the north of England at T-in-the-Park.

The deaths are being treated separately and are at this stage unexplained, Police Scotland said.

Next of kin have been informed and reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

The Police Scotland Gold commander for the event, Chief Superintendent Angela McLaren said: “Our thoughts and condolences are with the families of the two young people involved.

“We are continuing to investigate these deaths and are following lines of enquiry, including the possibility that they may be drug related.  I would remind all persons attending the festival that there is no safe way of taking drugs.

“Anyone who has any concerns for themselves or others at the festival should contact festival staff, police officers or medics for assistance.”

Campers began arriving on Thursday for the three-day event at Strathallan Castle, which will see The Stone Roses headline on Friday.

This year marks the second time the event has been staged at Strathallan after moving from Balado in Kinross-shire in 2015.

Jamie XX, Disclosure and Courteeners are also scheduled to perform on Friday, before Calvin Harris and the Red Hot Chili Peppers headline on Saturday and Sunday.

Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “This istragic news and I am sure I echo the sentiments of everyone when we send condolences to the families involved and, indeed, to the organisers of T in thePark who have worked hard this year to overcome last year’s concerns about public safety.

“Clearly, an investigation now has to take place and I hope this will be undertaken as quickly as possible. It is essential that police establish exactly what happened and why.”