Tragic teenager had taken mystery substance

A teenage girl from Yorkshire collapsed and became unresponsive after taking an unknown substance, an inquest heard.

Police said Poppy Rodgers, who died early on Friday, took a “yellow-white” paste thought to contain amphetamine.

The inquest into the 16-year-old’s death was opened and adjourned yesterday by York coroner Donald Coverdale.

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Her parents Ann and Mark, listened as Mr Coverdale read a brief statement outlining the facts. He said Poppy had “taken something” on the evening on April 19 and shortly afterwards became unwell and slurred her speech, adding: “She collapsed and became unresponsive. Paramedics attended promptly.”

He said she was rushed to York District Hospital and admitted at 12.05am on Friday.

The inquest heard the teenager lived at Long Marston near York but had recently been staying with friends in the city in Tang Hall Lane.

The coroner said further tests were needed to determine the cause of Poppy’s death. He also said police inquiries were continuing and adjourned the inquest to a date to be fixed.

A 23-year-old and a 26-year-old woman, both from York, were arrested in connection with the incident and bailed on Saturday.