DETECTIVES investigating the tragic death of 15 year old Leah Heyes have arrested one 17 year old boy in connection with supplying drugs and say other youngsters need to come forward who know what happened to ensure no one else dies or ends up in hospital.

Tributes poured in from family and friends for a “beautiful” and “innocent” girl as the shocked community of Northallerton came to terms with the death of the schoolgirl who police believe had taken ecstasy, also known as MDMA or a bomb.

The alarm was raised by a member of the public at about 9.30pm on Saturday when Leah collapsed in the town’s Applegarth car park.

The Northern Echo: TRIBUTES: Leah Heyes, 15, who died after taking ecstasyTRIBUTES: Leah Heyes, 15, who died after taking ecstasy

She died later that night in the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. A post mortem examination is being carried out.

Police said the 17 year old male had been arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs, and revealed that investigations are continuing and they have not ruled out making more arrests. It is understood there were a group of youngsters in the Applegarth area at the time.

Det Insp Eamonn Clarke said: “We have to appeal to the public we have to find out what happened to prevent it happening to anybody else.

“Leah’s family have been left without her and we need the group of people who were with her to come forward and tell us exactly what happened and what they know.

“We want to know who supplied the drugs, where they came from and how they were taken and who else took the drugs, we need to ensure someone else isn’t going to end up in hospital. We need people to come forward and tell us the whole truth.”

Bouquets of flowers have been building up on the site in the Applegarth, where Leah collapsed, as family and friends paid tribute to the popular teenager. One message from her father said: “To my beautiful daughter I can’t believe you have gone and never will. Fly high and be happy until we meet again, you will always be in my thoughts. Hugs and kisses, Dad.”

One schoolfriend who left flowers said many people had been upset, particularly about postings on social media. She said: "She was a lovely innocent girl that is what needs to be remembered, it’s rubbish to say anything else."

Another friend wrote: “To our lovely Leah I will remember your spirit and sense of justice, your love of food and advice about sushi. I will miss trying to make you smile when you had your grumpiest Monday morning face.”

A resident said the death had been a terrible shock for the community. “You just don’t expect this type of thing in Northallerton, but obviously drugs are here and they need to find out where they came from and stop it. There have been problems in Bullamoor Park and here in the Applegarth but nothing like this, this is just terrible, you just feel so sad for the family and we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Last night, Northallerton Town Council mayor Cllr John Forrest, who was re-elected for a sixth term at the annual Northallerton Town council meeting, said: "Today, I would like to say my condolences go to the family of the young girl who died over the weekend. It is very sad and my heart goes out to them."

The chief executive of Hambleton District Council, Dr Justin Ives released a statement. He said:”On behalf of Councillors and staff of Hambleton District Council, I express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the teenager who tragically died in Northallerton at the weekend. Our thoughts are with all those affected.

“The council is liaising with North Yorkshire Police in regards to CCTV footage of the Applegarth area, and as this is an ongoing police investigation no further comments will be made.”

Police have appealed for anyone with information to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Northallerton CID. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting reference 12190085105.