Woman poisoned by mysterious vape pen at music festival, event staff accused of 'total incompetence'

A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of having poisoned a younger woman with a vape pen at a music festival.

At the Isle of Wight music festival in England, Chloe Hammerton, 26, collapsed after what was described as "taking a puff" off a vape pen that a man offered her in a food line up, according to the Sun.

Police from Hampshire, England, said that officers were "investigating the circumstances surrounding a woman becoming unwell at Isle of Wight Festival have made an arrest."

"Following inquiries, a 51-year-old man from Rochester, Kent, was arrested in Kent on suspicion of administering a poison or noxious substance with intent. He remains in custody at this time," they added.

Hammerton's girlfriend, Natasha Ward, said it was "the worst 24 hours of [her] life."

"Having approached Chloe and Chloe's brother Will in one of the food queues, (a man) was encouraging Chloe to try some of his vape," Ward described.

Ward then recalled that Hammerton began having seizures and was unable to communicate:

"Within a minute she was in and out of consciousness, unable to speak or move any part of her body and fitting with her pupils constricting to pinpoints and then dilating to 7s."

Ward also criticized the festival staff and claimed their “total incompetence and lack of urgency” caused the group to wait for over half an hour for “any medical response," the Times reported.

"To be begging, screaming for help for the person you love for hours, whilst they're laying on the floor terrified and unconscious in front of you and thousands of people," she continued. "If it wasn't for an incredible nurse in the crowd and our amazing student nurse sister-in-law helping Chloe, we would be in a totally different situation."

The festival contested Ward's claim however and said that a medical practitioner was at the scene within five minutes. Hammerton was then reportedly taken to an on-site hospital. A spokesperson also said that it was an “isolated incident” that was dealt with “quickly and professionally by all teams on site”.

Hammerton, who works for South Central Ambulance Service, has allegedly never smoked before.

"Chloe doesn't vape or smoke and has never done drugs in her life, but was duped into taking a puff in this situation," Ward said.

The substance that was inside the vape has not been reported and it is important to note the man has not been convicted.

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