A YOUNG man was fighting for his life yesterday after taking what police believe was an accidental overdose of the drug, LSD.

The 20-year-old was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital at around 9.45pm on Friday after suffering from hallucinations and seizures in a property at Mayfield Flats, Bolton Road, Darwen.

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He was in a critical condition in a medically-induced coma over the weekend, police said.

While full forensic tests will be carried out to establish exactly what the substance is, police said early indications led them to believe what he took was LSD.

Otherwise known as acid, LSD stands for its chemical name, lysergic acid diethylamide, and is a powerful hallucinogenic drug.

Users experience a distorted view of reality, called a ‘trip’, which include time and movement appearing to speed up and slow down.

The drug is not known for being lethal, and drugs advice charity Talk to Frank said there is no evidence to suggest LSD does any long-term damage to the body or the brain, although it can have serious implications for people with a history of mental illness.

Detective Inspector Eric Halford, from Blackburn CID, said: “This young man is in a very serious condition in hospital and we are urging anyone in possession of a similar substance to hand them in to us to prevent anyone else from falling ill.

“We are also asking members of the public who may know of anyone who is involved in the production and supply of these items to pass this information to the police.

“This can be done anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or by calling 101 and quoting log number 1476 of July 31.”

A neighbour said she was returning home to nearby Grimshaw Street on Friday evening when she saw several emergency service vehicles.

She said: “ I knew something had obviously happened. I went home and I didn’t think much else of it.

“Then I woke up during the night, at around 1.30am, and there were still two police cars there.

“The next morning there were two police vans there instead.

“Then a blue operations support van turned up.”

For drugs information and advice visit talktofrank.com lAn 18-year-old man from Darwen was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

He was later released on bail pending further inquiries.