Inquest opened into rave death

Arena management are working with police

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of a teenager after a rave at one of Tyneside's biggest entertainment venues

Northumbria Police say a post mortem examination on 18-year-old Russell Kirby has proved inconclusive and are waiting for the results of toxicology tests.

Mr Kirby, of Piper Road, Ovingham, Northumberland, died after becoming ill at the Telewest Arena in Newcastle on Sunday morning.

He was taken to Newcastle General Hospital in the early hours but was found to be dead on arrival.

Sealed off

Police want to interview friends were with Mr Kirby, who worked as a shop assistant in Newcastle, on the evening.

The concert arena, where 7,500 revellers had been celebrating a fifth birthday party of the Godskitchen club night, was sealed off while investigations took place.

A statement issued by the arena management said this was the first serious incident at the club night.

"Safety is of paramount importance to all events held at the Telewest Arena and this is the first time an incident of this kind has occurred at one of their events, which we have been operating successfully for five years," the statement said.

"We are currently liaising closely with the police in an effort to clarify the circumstances surrounding this fatality."