Man arrested after woman at Isle of Wight Festival collapsed when she puffed on vape
Dominic Smithers
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Natasha Grace Ward
A man has been arrested after a woman collapsed at the Isle of Wight Festival after smoking a vape.
Police were called after a woman called Chloe fell ill and collapsed on Saturday (17 June).
The 26-year-old had apparently taken a puff of a vape handed to her by an older man at the festival.
And now, a 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to poison a young woman.
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Speaking about the terrifying moment she fell to the ground, Chloe's partner Natasha shared a post to social media.
She wrote: “Saturday into Sunday was truly one of the worst 24 hours of my life due to someone spiking/drugging, and nearly killing, my girlfriend at the Isle of Wight Festival on Saturday afternoon/evening.
“Having approached Chloe and Chloe’s brother, Will, in one of the food queues he was encouraging Chloe to try some of his vape. Chloe doesn’t vape or smoke, and has never done drugs in her life, but was duped into taking a puff in this situation.
"Within a minute, she was in and out of consciousness, unable to speak or move any part of her body and fitting with her pupils constricting to pinpoints and then dilating to 7’s.”
Natasha said that had it not been for ‘incredible nurse in the crowd’, and her ‘amazing student nurse sister-in-law', she doesn't know what would have happened to Chloe.
She went on: “I wouldn’t wish what we went through on Saturday on ANYBODY. To be begging, screaming for help for a family member/the person you love… For hours! Whilst they’re laying on the floor terrified and unconscious in front of you and thousands of people.”
Speaking to Tyla, Natasha said she wasn't able to add further comment at this time as the matter was being investigated.
In her post, she said she had issued 'formal complaints' to a number of bodies, including the festival and police.
Following the suspect's arrest, Hampshire Constabulary released a statement about the investigation.
A spokesperson for the force said: "Officers investigating the circumstances surrounding a woman becoming unwell at Isle of Wight Festival have made an arrest.
"It was reported to police that a 26-year-old woman needed medical assistance after she used a vape that was offered to her by a man at the festival on Saturday.
"Following inquiries, a 51-year-old man from Rochester, Kent, was arrested in Kent on suspicion of administering a poison or noxious substance with intent. He remains in custody at this time."
Tyla has contacted Isle of Wight Festival for comment.