Lions fans in overdose and hotel fire dramas

Two British Lions rugby fans are in a critical condition in a Durban hospital today after overdosing on cocaine.

The pair collapsed in their hotel room after buying £225 of the drug at the Protea Hotel Edward on Sunday. A friend of the two unnamed fans is thought to have found them on the bedroom floor of the four-star hotel.

Paramedic spokesman Chris Botha told the Mercury newspaper: "When paramedics arrived, both foreign nationals were in a critical condition, with cardiac and pulmonary symptoms akin to that of cocaine abuse."

Police said the men would be charged if found to have been in possession of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile at another Durban hotel, British guests escaped a fire yesterday. British and Irish Lions fans had to be evacuated from The Royal as smoke spread through the hotel and power was cut.

First reports said a water boiler had burst, but hotel management said it was more likely to be city-owned electrical equipment. Twelve staff were treated for smoke inhalation.

Welsh rugby fan Jackie Melhuish was on the 13th floor of the hotel when she heard an explosion just before 7.30am: "When I saw the smoke I panicked and quickly made my way out."

Phil Evans, 72, of Gloucestershire, said he thought he was the last person out of the hotel: "I could smell the smoke. I had already packed all my bags and then the lad said to evacuate."