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Promising sports star dies hours after attending illegal rave in Croydon

Summary:

Rio Andrew died on Monday after falling ill at the event on Sunday night.

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By SWLondoner staff

Tributes are pouring in after a talented teenager died after attending the illegal rave in Croydon on Saturday night.

Rio Andrew, 15, died on Monday after falling ill in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police believe the death to be drug-related but are still awaiting test results.

The teenager had attended Holland Park School in Kensington for the last ten months and was said to be ‘destined for academic success’. In a statement on their website, the school also said that he was an exceptional sportsman and was due to be recognised with an award this week.

“The school wishes to send its collective sympathies and respect to all of Rio’s family and friends. He will be greatly missed by the school community,” it said.

Rio was a member of the Thames Valley Harriers athletics club and the English Schools under-15 shot put champion in 2013.

Around 1,300 people attended the event at a disused sorting office on Cherry Orchard Road in East Croydon.

It emerged today that the Metropolitan Police have launched an internal review after it emerged that officers knew above the rave two weeks before it took place.

“We had a single piece of evidence that suggested there may be an event at this venue,” said Commander Simon Letchford.

“It was assessed at the time and no further action was taken. I’ve now asked for a review into the decision-making around that. I would have expected a bit more to have been done.”

A 19-year-old man, who was also taken ill at the event, remains in hospital in a stable condition. Six other people who were taken to hospital have been discharged.

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