TRIBUTES have been paid to two former Okehampton College students who collapsed and died after taking drugs in a nightclub at the weekend.

Joshua Brock, from Hatherleigh, and Aaron Reilly, from Chagford, both 19, collapsed in the Pryzm nightclub in Plymouth in the early hours of Saturday morning and died later in Derriford Hospital. They had both taken what they thought was MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in the club.

Police are appealing for information to trace the source of the drug the two men were apparently offered in the club.

Joshua and Aaron were among a group of young people from the Okehampton area who travelled to see a set by DJ Basshunter at the nightclub at the Barbican Leisure Park on Friday night, December 8. They collapsed in the nightclub at around 1.40am on Saturday, December 9.

A tribute event is being planned in memory of the two young men on January 20 in Chagford.

Aaron’s younger brother Kian gave a heartfelt tribute to his brother, saying: ’My brother was one of the most responsible people I ever knew and everything he achieved I was so proud of but I was so envious of his talent. I tried so hard to follow in his footsteps and I still do now but I no longer have anyone to look up to and I don’t have my big brother to help me through life.

’I can’t believe he was taken from me and my family from one silly mistake, just trying to have fun on a night out with his best mates. He will be forever missed and I will never forget the amazing brother he was.’

Joshua’s family have issued a tribute, saying that Joshua, who was training to become a flight engineer, was ’totally against drug taking’ and that this was ’one moment of madness’.

The statement read: ’The family of Joshua Brock paid tribute to a young man who was a loving son to Steve and Sandra, an inspirational brother to Liam and Demelza and a loyal mate to all his friends.

’Joshua was in his third year studying for a diploma in aircraft engineering at the Flybe Training Academy in Exeter when his life was cut short. His interests were wide and varied; he loved to drive, snowboard, go-karting, micro-lighting, playing guitar and drums and he had a brilliant career ahead of him. 

’He was the kindest, most helpful person you could hope to meet and had a great sense of humour. He also enjoyed helping his dad to build our house at weekends and in the holidays. His cat Magic will miss her tuna treats! 

’He would do anything for anybody, was very popular and loved a night out with friends drinking and having a laugh. His main hobby was keeping fit and eating healthily so what happened that night is so totally out of character as he was always against drug taking in any shape or form. One moment of madness led to this tragedy.

’Of all your achievements Josh, we are so proud and stand and salute you; your handsome face, cheeky smile and curly hair; and all those happy moments we shared; RIP my beautiful son and loving brother – until we can all be together again.’

A family friend, who lives in Hatherleigh, said: ’It is absolutely devastating news. It is just one of those things that you think happen to other people, not someone you know. It is just heartbreaking. Everyone is really shocked.’

Joshua’s fellow students were this week struggling to come to terms with their loss.

Flybe CEO Christine Ourmières-Widener said: ’On behalf of everyone at Flybe, I would like to extend to the family and friends of Joshua Brock our sincerest condolences at this very sad time. Josh was a fine student, in his third year studying for the Flybe diploma course in engineering in partnership with Exeter College – leading to a foundation degree in aerospace engineering and EASA Part-66 Aircraft Engineers’ Licence.

’We were naturally shocked to receive the tragic news at the weekend and are providing every support necessary to his fellow diploma students at the Flybe Training Academy as they come to terms with their loss. 

’Well-mannered and polite, Josh was genuinely popular with staff and his peers. With an exemplary professional attitude, his keenness to learn and hard work resulted in him achieving above average scores and he was clearly destined to have a very successful career as an aircraft engineer.’

Police are currently investigating the circumstances in which the two men came to take drugs in Pryzm nightclub.

Detective Inspector Julie Scoles said: ’It is currently believed that the two men who died were part of a larger group who had taken what they thought to have been MDMA.

’Many of the group were from Okehampton and had visited Plymouth to attend the Basshunter set at the Pryzm nightclub.

’We are investigating these deaths and have located the rest of the group who are thankfully showing no ill-effects at this time.

’We are not currently seeking anyone else in connection to these deaths but would like to hear from anyone who has any information that can help us with our enquiries.

’I am urging the public, especially those going out and planning to take recreational drugs, to be aware of this incident and think twice before taking any unknown substance; there is always a risk when taking drugs and the only way of staying safe is to avoid drugs altogether.’

An 18-year-old man who was arrested in connection to this incident has been released under investigation pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the police on 101 or [email protected] quoting log number 67 for December 9. Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.