UK NEWS

GIRL, 17, DRINKS HERSELF TO DEATH AT HOUSE PARTY

TRAGIC: Lorna May was discovered with an empty bottle of spirits beside her /Pic posed by model

Thursday April 2,2009

By David Pilditch

A TEENAGER died after a drinking binge at a party.

Lorna May was found slumped on a sofa by her friends with an empty bottle of spirits lying near her body.

Her body was discovered by horrified friends. The pretty 17-year-old, who had hoped to work in child care, was among revellers at the party near Newquay, Cornwall.

Devon and Cornwall Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination but have confirmed that they are treating the death as “alcohol-related”.

Yesterday Lorna’s heart-broken father Roddie May paid tribute to his daughter.

He said: “She was my best friend and always looked after me. She was so caring and she looked after everybody. She put everyone else first.

“I have been left totally devastated by this, I just don’t know what happened.”

The tragedy unfolded on Wednesday last week when Lorna, from Newquay, went over to a friend’s house in nearby Porth for an impromptu party. She decided to stay at the house while her friends went to a nearby pub.

They found her lifeless body when they returned.

Sarah Goswell, assistant headmistress at Tretherras School in Newquay, where Lorna was a pupil, said: “There is a very tangible sadness at the school, certainly among the sixth form.

“They are very shocked and have been spoken to and offered counselling.

“Lorna worked hard and had lots of vocational potential. She will be missed by the whole school community.”

Kat Fletcher, Lorna’s form tutor, added: “She brightened up my mornings with her smile and cheerful disposition.

“She was always full of life. She liked hair and beauty and would always be modelling the latest style.”

A tribute page to Lorna on the social-networking site Facebook has attracted almost 300 members.

Her father wrote: “Hi Lorny, just your silly dad here, why have you left me? I did think I would walk to St Michael’s Church to give you away but not to God my angel.

“Oh why please tell me why I will always have you with me you will not ever be alone again. Now is the time for me to say I did miss you and will always do.”

Lorna’s aunt, Helen Jayne Howard, added: “Lorna was a beautiful, gentle girl who I had the privilege to have known since she was a child and recently worked with her.

“It will soon become obvious through this tribute that everyone loved her, I just pray now that we pull together and gain knowledge and strength. Love Auntie Jayne xx.”

Lorna’s funeral is to be held at St Michael’s in Newquay later this month.

A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said: “This does appear to be an alcohol-related death.”

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