DJ says he almost died after his drink was spiked at Sugar Mill
A DJ who collapsed in a Hull nightclub has claimed he almost died after his drink was laced with a date rape drug.
Daniel Latimer, who starred on Channel 4 show Shipwrecked, appeared as a guest DJ at the Sugar Mill in Prince's Dock Street, city centre, on Monday evening.
The incident happened just a couple of hours before 21-year-old Chloe Leach collapsed in the same club and later died in hospital.
Initially detectives from Humberside Police investigated whether the two incidents were linked, however they have since ruled out the possibility Chloe's drink was spiked.
Today, Mr Latimer told the Mail how he felt helpless and feared for his life after realising he had been drugged.
He said: "I nearly died, it was the most terrifying moment of my life."
After only being in the club for 30 minutes, he began fitting before losing consciousness after drinking shots of Sambuca.
After being rushed to Hull Royal Infirmary, doctors resuscitated him twice before putting him on a life support machine, he said.
He claims tests carried out by doctors at Hull Royal Infirmary confirmed traces of GHB – a drug with sedative and anaesthetic effects used by date rapists – was found in his blood.
Mr Latimer said: "I was in the DJ box and there were loads of people around. My mate passed me a shot and it was disgusting, I just thought the Sambuca was off.
"I was sober so I was well aware of what I was drinking and that it was not right. The second shot was also horrid and after it I couldn't have even counted to 30 before I went funny.
"I couldn't see, I panicked, I knew something was wrong. I ran into the back room and my legs gave way. I said to my mate 'You need to get me an ambulance, I think I am going to die.' I then collapsed and started fitting."
The next thing Mr Latimer remembers is waking up in hospital to be told he had been drugged.
Mr Latimer was released from hospital on Wednesday and is now recovering at home in Liverpool.
Police have confirmed their inquiries into the circumstances surrounding Mr Latimer's collapse continue and they are waiting for their own test results on his blood.
Adrian Broadhead, general manager at the Sugar Mill, said: "Company directors have viewed the CCTV footage, second by second, which has given us a detailed account of the DJ's movements before, during and after the situation.
"We are now working closely with the police."
76 Comments
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by bob, northeast
Tuesday, November 04 2008, 8:57PM
“"i blame the door staff for not serching the cusomers .. especily that fat one, who thinks he is a body guard ,called dave. whos the manager .. "- actually the none of the doorstaff there on the night were called dave, none of them particularly think they are bodyguards and have you ever been to the sugarmill, yes, on a student night, probably not. oh and the manager is not doorstaff either”
by Ernesto, Hull
Monday, October 06 2008, 1:10PM
“Again you really must read what has been written.I never said anybody is bad because they wish them a speedy recovery. I just said it was a pointles empty gesture.
We dont all work the Hellish 9-5 mon-fri. Some of us get 3/5ths of the year off work.
Oh and Dink anyone linking spiked drinks and the young ladies death should really keep up to date.
As for the get a life. Thats what people say when they have been beaten and are argumentatively bankrupt.
I thank you.”
by Em, Hull
Monday, October 06 2008, 12:25PM
“Well said Amanda from Hull. The rest of you need to get on with some work (if you have a job) and get a life!!!!”
by Dink, Hull
Monday, October 06 2008, 11:27AM
“I think you are missing the true point of this article, Ernesto: I think the real aim is to help make people aware how easily spiking can happen, and how deadly it can be.
That's the reason Danny's (and Chloe's) story is newsworthy! If it helps just one person avoid being spiked, it has served a useful purpose.
I realise that far worse things may be happening in other places, but that doesn't mean we are bad people for wishing a speedy recovery to someone.”
by ernesto, Hull
Monday, October 06 2008, 10:27AM
“I mean John not George.”
by Erensto, Hull
Monday, October 06 2008, 10:26AM
“Your missing the point George.
I dont care about all the people in Africa. If I did then I would try and do something about it. I think its a terrible situation but I am able to turn a blind eye.Just like most of the rest of the population who "care about it". You must try to read the other threads before making uninformed comments
This story has nothing to do with the young lady that died so why you bring that up I dont know.”
by John, East Riding
Monday, October 06 2008, 6:49AM
“Once again we see a reported story where death had occurred and some people use this facility as a soapbox on which to stand and rant and rave about things that have no connection to it whatsoever. Have a little compassion for the family of the dead young woman. As for you Ernesto, your inflamatory comments to other readers make you sound like some sort of third world activist, if you care so much about Africa, then why on earth don't you volunteer to go and work there with one of the many aid agencies, take your laptop though, we would all miss your informative comments otherwise!!!”
by Ernesto, Hull
Sunday, October 05 2008, 7:26PM
“Thats a weak counter George.
Don't delude yourself with kind thoughts. Its action (kind or otherwise) that changes the world.
It sure makes people feel better about themselves though when they have these kind thoughts. Sort of makes them feel like decent people.
A bit like those that feel the pang of injustice when they see the ads (just before they turn them over) you were talking about. O f course they then procede to pop to the supermarket and buy the subsidised goods that cost less but disadvantage those farmers and exploits those children in poorer parts of the world.
They appreciate your kind thoughts.”
by chris, east yorkshire
Sunday, October 05 2008, 6:52PM
“this club seems to have a big drug problem, the best thing to do is close it down before anyone els is dead”
by George, Hull
Sunday, October 05 2008, 6:50PM
“Yes Miss K it's a sad reflection on his mentality that he can get so aggressive over you simply saying that you were glad that Danny was on the mend. Maybe in his world no one cares about anyone else but luckily the rest of us do have compassion for other people, even if we don't know them personally. It's a pity that he can't channel all this energy into something constructive instead of attacking people for simply having kind thoughts.”