Second man dead following suspected bad heroin batch in Devon
He died in North Devon District Hospital on Saturday evening
A second man has died after taking a suspected bad batch of heroin in North Devon.
He died on Saturday evening in North Devon District Hospital, a day after he's believed to have taken what police have called the "unusually strong" substance.
Devon and Cornwall Police say they and other agencies, including South West Ambulance Service, first became aware of the substance circulating at 5pm on Friday.
One man was pronounced dead that evening, whilst ten others from Westward Ho!, Bideford and Barnstaple were admitted to hospital.
Two people are still being treated.
Four people - two men and two women - who were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of a controlled substance have been released on bail pending further enquiries.
Senior Investigating officer Detective Superintendent Ben Davies said:
"While we believe the substance found on Friday has been contained and there is no threat to the wider community, we continue to investigate the circumstances of the now two deaths as a result of taking this substance.
"We are continuing to carry out tests in order to ascertain what the substance is, but suspect it is a form of heroin combined with another substance which users will find causes more serious effects than heroin which they might usually use.
"Health partners are continuing to work with local drug users in a bid to safeguard them as much as possible, but we would continue to urge any users to exercise extreme caution.
"Advice remains that if you feel you are suffering an adverse reaction or are in the company of someone in a need of urgent medical attention, call 999 for appropriate care and help."