Devastated family and friends of a young clubber who died after an all-night rave are mourning the popular student.

Former Richard Challoner student Richard Baker died in hospital in the early hours of Sunday, November 27, after attending a night at Alexandra Palace in north London.

He was one of two men who died in incidents that sparked a London-wide appeal for clubbers who took drugs at the venue, particularly MDMA, to seek urgent medical attention.

His brother Anthony and another friend changed their Facebook profiles after his death to show themselves hugging or standing next to Mr Baker.

The 20-year-old, of Mount Road, Chessington, studied at university in Southampton, and worked part time in the kitchens at the Giddy Spoons Wetherspoon pub in the city.

Richard Challoner headteacher Tom Cahill said staff were upset when he told them the tragic news on Monday morning.

He said: “I would describe him as a gentle giant, a very nice student and very popular with his peers because he had a real sense of humour.

“He was generally a quiet lad... whenever you saw him he would be in a group with friends with a smile on his face.”

Mr Baker’s family were too upset to speak at their home today as they made funeral arrangements.

Pub colleague Matthew Blandford said: "He was always the happy one in the kitchen, really cheerful and brightened up your day.”

Another man, Lloyd Edward Jones, 21, of Oswestry, died at a separate event at the same venue on Saturday.

Mr Baker is believed to have attended a night called Epic, which ran into Sunday.

Acts performing at the event included top DJs Eric Prydz, Pete Tong and John Digweed, and the band Death in Vegas.

The causes of the two men’s deaths have not been established, but police are investigating whether they died after suffering an extreme reaction to an illegal substance.

Inquests were opened at North London Coroner’s Court on Thursday morning and adjourned until next year.

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