Two teenagers arrested over girl's suspected drug death

By David Hunter

Two teenagers aged 17 and 19 have been arrested in connection with the sudden death of a 15 year old girl in Portadown.

Friends have left flowers and tributes in a Co. Armagh forest where Caitlin White died at the weekend. 

Police are investigating if she had taken drugs on Saturday before she collapsed. 

The 15 year old was unconscious in woods in Corcraine at around 6pm and later died at Craigavon Area Hospital.

Her auntie Claire said that Caitlin's mother Teresa "is in bits as you can imagine, she's not fit to speak to anyone.

"Caitlin was her world. She only had one child. The family is completely devastated.

"The people who know and care about Caitlin, know who she really was, and what she was really like and that's all that matters to us. We don't care about the others."

Area Commander, Chief Inspector Joe McMinn said: “An ambulance was tasked and conveyed the girl to Craigavon Area Hospital where she died a short time later.

“At this early stage of the investigation, one of our lines of enquiry is a possible link to drugs.

“A post mortem examination will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.

"There were a large number of young people in the Corcrain area when police arrived and we are appealing to anyone who was in that area yesterday and who has any information to contact police." 

Known to friends as 'Chucky', tributes have been paid at the scene where Caitlin was found. 

Local Councillor, Julie Flaherty said, "I am so saddened to hear that a young girl, only 15 with her whole life ahead of her, has lost her life last night. 

"As someone who lost a child myself, I know only too well the pain that this family will be facing. My thoughts and prayers are with them today. 

"The whole community will be devastated by this. They will be shocked that this could happen in an area they are trying so hard to care for and provide a safe environment for all to enjoy."