A PARTY-GOER who collapsed after being given a date rape drug at a celebrity-favoured club says she was “dragged outside” and “left on the pavement” by bouncers.
The 19-year-old claims doormen at the Opal Lounge nightclub in Edinburgh told her she was “just drunk” and took “over half an hour” to call an ambulance when she began foaming at the mouth.
Kirsten Bailey spent Tuesday night at the popular George Street celebrity hangout, frequented by the likes of Kate Moss, Prince William and Kiefer Sutherland.
She realised her drink had been spiked when she could no longer move or speak.
According to the teenager, bouncers did “next to nothing” and told her friend to “shut up” when she asked for help.
Now, Kirsten’s mother has written a letter to the luxury nightclub and police are investigating the incident.
In the letter Tricia Thomson, from Dundee, says: “My 19-year-old daughter was in your club last night and her drink was spiked.
“As if this wasn’t bad enough, she was treated horrendously by the security staff.
“Despite the fact that her friend was terribly upset and told them repeatedly that my daughter was not drunk, they took no notice.
“Instead, they dragged her out by the arms and laid her down on the pavement outside. Even when, at one point, she was foaming at the mouth, they gave no assistance, only derisory remarks.
“It was well over an hour before the ambulance was finally called. The hospital staff believe she was given a date rape drug.”
She added: “This incident has made me sick to my stomach. The staff were an absolute disgrace.
“I cannot believe that your staff would treat a young girl, clearly incapacitated, with her friend desperately claiming she was not drunk, in this manner.”
Speaking about her daughter’s experience, she said: “She has no idea how it happened. She was drinking Prosecco with her friend and the next she knew she couldn’t move or speak.
“She knew there was something wrong but she couldn’t communicate. Luckily, her friend could tell she wasn’t just drunk.
“When she finally got to the hospital she was unresponsive for an hour and a half. I got a call at about 3:30am to say that she was coming round. It was horrifying.
“I wrote the letter because I want the staff to change their attitude. Something needs to be done.”
Kirsten also hit out at the nightclub, which she has visited many times in the past.
She said: “It’s disgusting the way the bouncers treated me. I just blacked out and suddenly I woke up in hospital, it was scary.
“I would never go there again. The bouncers weren’t listening to my friend when they should be there to look after you.
“If it wasn’t for having an amazing best friend then I don’t know what would’ve happened.”
Opal Lounge is owned by Montpeliers Ltd, who also run several other venues on the same street including TigerLily, Candy Bar and Lulu.
A spokeswoman for Montpeliers said: “We take allegations of this nature extremely seriously and we’ve worked very closely with Police Scotland on the matter.
“After fully investigating all CCTV footage, the police confirmed that our door stewards operated to a caring and professional standard towards the woman in question. First aid was administered and an ambulance was called within seven minutes of staff being alerted to the situation.
“At this stage there is no evidence to support the allegation and this is now a criminal matter which is being handled by the police.
“The safety of our customers is of paramount importance to us and we will of course do all we can to support the investigation.”
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Edinburgh are investigating following a report of a drink being spiked in a city centre nightclub this week.
“The incident happened in George Street in the early hours of Wednesday (12th August).
“Enquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances.”
