A 15-year-old who died after drinking a ketamine laced beer at an illegal rave has been named as Notting Hill shot put champion Rio Andrew.
The Holland Park School pupil, born in December 1998, was one of more than a thousand people at a rave in a disused Royal Mail sorting office in Cherry Orchard Road, East Croydon, on Saturday night (June 14).
Rio - who switched schools from Burlington Danes Academy in White City last year - died in hospital yesterday (June 16) after he was rushed to hospital in an ambulance during the early hours of Sunday morning.
The teenager, of Notting Hill, was the U15 English schools national champion shot putter, ranked second in the UK for his age in 2013 and was a star member of the Thames Valley Harriers (TVH) based at the Linford Christie Stadium in Wormwood Scrubs.
Also an accomplished hammer and discus thrower he was selected for Middlesex U17 despite being a year younger than most other competitors.
He has not formally been named by police but his head coach at TVH confirmed it was Rio who died yesterday.
Coach Paul Oppé told getwestlondon the club and Rio's team mates have been knocked back by the news.
He said: "Rio was an extrovert, but dedicated to his athletics and school. Only the other week, he competed for us at Carshalton, but had to leave early because he needed to get back and study for a Music GCSE. Youngsters at that age can be difficult, but he never gave anyone a moment’s problem - ever. Rio could train with a group or on his own, it was all the same to him. It must be devastating for his family.
“Athletics has lost a great talent; one that might have represented Great Britain, and even at a future Olympics.”
Tributes from friends have been posted on twitter, with one saying: "Today I lost one of my closest friends, Rio Andrew. Words cannot even explain how heart broken I am. Love you dude."
Another said: "Rio Andrew 15 my best friend Dead :( it's times like this where we won't be scared but we look at the world from a different angle. <3 u Bro" (sic).
A message on the Holland Park School website says: "Students and staff at the school deeply regret this sad loss of a much respected student.
"Rio was an able scholar, destined for academic success. He was also an exceptional sportsman and due to be awarded this Friday, a prestigious sports award. The school wishes to send its collective sympathies and respect to all of Rio’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed by the school community."
Rio was one of eight people taken to hospital from the event which had been arranged illegally but which police let carry on when they found out about it at 9.40pm on Saturday (June 14).
Police cordoned off the area to prevent further large numbers of people entering the building but some of the crowd became violent, with missiles being thrown at police officers and a police vehicle's window was smashed leading to two people being arrested for violent disorder.
A total of 14 people have been arrested in connection with the ongoing police investigation.
