THE parents of a man who died after taking what was believed to be ‘pink’ Ecstasy in Ellesmere Port have warned other users: “If it can happen to our son, it can happen to anyone.”

Gary Bass, 23, a lab technician, went tenpin bowling in the Coliseum before heading on to a pub and later attended Destiny and Elite’s ‘We Are Hardcore: Soldiers Of Rave’ event on May 26.

The venue has since closed down due to financial reasons and there has been no suggestion of any criticism of the Ellesmere Port club arising from this incident.

The former Neston High School pupil’s parents understand he took one tablet at some point during the evening before heading to the rave, which was scheduled to start at 9pm and finish at 6am.

One of his friends began to feel unwell in the club and went home but dad Robin understands Gary then took another pill.

While waiting for a taxi back to his friend’s house in Connah’s Quay, Gary began to feel unwell, complaining of being cold and shaking.

Once back at the house he suffered a seizure.

One of his friends performed CPR on him, but he was rushed by ambulance to a hospital in North Wales, where he soon died.

Gary’s parents were visited by the police at the family home in Heswall hours later.

Robin said: “At first I thought Gary had somehow got himself arrested but when they asked to come in I knew then. I knew it was something terrible.

“If you’d have told me six months ago something like this would happen to my son I’d have said, ‘no, not Gary. He’s sensible.’ But it’s happened.”

Cheshire police launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Gary’s death and arrested a 24-year-old Ellesmere Port man on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs. He was bailed bending enquiries.

They are still waiting for toxicology results from a post-mortem examination to confirm or refute claims Gary took pink Ecstasy – but his mum is convinced.

Arsenal supporter Gary’s parents are determined to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else’s son or daughter.

Mum Hilary said: “Gary wasn’t a tearaway. If anything he was a bit of a home bird, a bit shy perhaps, but he made a mistake and he’s paid for it with his life.

“If it can happen to him then it can happen to anybody. There has to be more awareness.

“Youngsters think it’s safe but it’s not, none of it; its effects are so variable.

“And all it takes is one tablet.”

Within days of Gary losing his life Hilary spread the word about the dangers of Ecstasy on social networking sites, in particular the ‘pink’ variant which police have warned can be fatal.

Robin, who runs his own mortgage advice business, said: “There is a lot of focus on this pink Ecstasy and that’s what Gary took. But it could be any colour or any shape and those who take it have no idea what’s in it.

“That’s what we have to drive home – the fact that none of it is safe.

“Kids see it as a harmless kick. They believe it will make them feel confident and give them energy but every time they take it they’re playing Russian roulette.”

Hilary added: “He wouldn’t even take prescription drugs because he was so concerned about side-effects. It took me all my time to get him to take antibiotics.”

Hundreds attended Gary’s funeral and a subsequent collection raised £1,000 for Claire House.

Hilary added: “I wanted to go and stand outside clubs and talk to the kids going in, warn them about taking Ecstasy, tell them about Gary.

“I wanted to say ‘my son was just like you and now he’s dead’.

“We had to speak out to prevent other lives being lost. I have to do this, I have to speak out for Gary and all the others like him, ordinary lads and girls who have no idea the risk they’re taking with just one pill.

“You know, nobody really understands a mum’s love. It never ends, not when they’re an adult or when they’re gone.

“I remember Gary used to say ‘I never want to grow up’. Now he never will.”