Double death tragedy
Gary Fitzpatrick • Published 8 Jul 2011 08:40
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INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into the tragic death of two friends which has stunned the community in the Touch area of Dunfermline.
One man was found dead in a house at Law Road and the other was rushed unconscious to Queen Margaret Hospital where he later died.
The deceased have been named as Jamie Drysdale (36), of 86 Law Road, where the double tragedy occurred, and Derek Neilson (32), of the Henryson Road area, also in Touch.
One relative said their family was in shock and trying to come to terms with their loss.
Police have issued an appeal to anyone who may have seen the two men over the weekend as they try to piece together their final movements.
Post-mortems were taking place yesterday (Wednesday) to establish the cause of death but police have confirmed that it could be a drugs-related incident.
However, following media speculation that the deaths could be linked to others in the west of Scotland the officer in charge said there was nothing to suggest that.
The police are treating the deaths as "unexplained" but there are no suspicious circumstances at this stage.
It is believed family and friends of the men went to the house on Sunday evening after becoming worried, found them and raised the alarm.
Mr Drysdale's sister, Claire Robertson, said, "Jamie was a good dad and both men will be really missed by everyone. The family are still in shock and trying to come to terms with our loss."
Detective Inspector David McLaren, the senior investigating officer, said, "Our enquiries are still ongoing to establish a cause of death and at this time we are following up several possible causes.
"One line of inquiry is that the deaths are related to drug or substance misuse but this will not be clear until results of post-mortem examination are established."
However, D I McLaren added, "Following on from reports elsewhere I'd like to say there is nothing to link this incident with deaths that have happened in other areas recently."
Councillor Mike Rumney is a neighbour of Derek Neilson's mother in Whitelaw Crescent and said, "This a terrible tragedy.
"Derek used to visit his mum's and would always speak when you saw him. He was always very pleasant when I spoke to him."
Meanwhile, in a separate development, police issued a warning to drug users in Fife after two people were admitted to hospital suffering from suspected overdoses.
Although both people received treatment and survived, further tests and enquiries are being carried out to establish the substances involved.
Fife police are liaising closely with the NHS, social work and drug agencies to alert users of any potential health risks.
Colin Steer, drug liaison officer with Fife Constabulary, said, "We would remind those in the communities of Fife who use illicit drugs of the inherent dangers of taking any controlled drugs.
"This has become evident over the weekend where two people have been admitted to hospital suffering from apparent drug overdoses.
"I would strongly urge all those who use drugs to think very carefully before taking any substance.
"Taking any form of illegal substances is extremely dangerous and anyone who has any information on drug-dealing in Fife should contact their local police station or call Crimestoppers on 0845 555111."
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