Schoolgirl's parents pay tribute to their "beautiful girl" whose sudden death has left them "utterly devastated"
Martha Fernback
Police have arrested a 17-year-old boy over the death of a 15-year-old girl who died after taking a '£3 pink ecstasy tablet'.
Martha Fernback took what she believed was MDMA, widely known as ecstasy, before collapsing at Hinksey Park in Oxford yesterday.
Paramedics
and police rushed to the park to help the teenager, who was given CPR
in front of shocked sunbathers before she was airlifted to hospital.
Doctors battled to save her life, however the youngster was pronounced dead shortly after she arrived.
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. Martha Fernback
Detectives investigating Martha's death have arrested a
17-year-old boy from the Oxford area on suspicion of possession with
intent to supply a controlled drug.
Some pals of the teenager had
speculated that she had taken PMA, or pink ecstasy, which is similar to
MDMA and is often sold as ecstasy.
However, PMA is much stronger, and like MDMA, can cause a fatal rise in body temperature.
The
effects of PMA also take longer than MDMA to begin to be felt - so some
users have overdosed by mistakenly taking pill after pill thinking
nothing is happening, which can also be fatal.
The friends, who did not want to be named said that the pills were being sold in Oxford for as little as £3 pounds each.
Today
Martha's parents spoke of their devastation describing her as a
"beautiful girl" whose sudden death had left them "utterly devastated".
In a statement issued via Thames Valley Police today, her family 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."
Martha's death has prompted detectives to issue a warning to young people to avoid dabbling with illegal drugs such as MDMA. Martha Fernback
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.
"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."
Anyone with information is asked to call Thames Valley Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
