Mushrooms examined in death probe

The woman in her 40s was pronounced dead at an address in Carisbrooke High Street, Newport on the Isle of Wight.

A few minutes later, police were called to a second address in Newport where a woman in her 20s had been taken ill.

She was taken to hospital and her condition is described as stable and conscious.

The second woman told police she visited the Ventnor Botanic Garden on the island with her husband on September 14 and picked a number of wild mushrooms.

These mushrooms were eaten by both women.

Police have not confirmed the mushrooms were the cause of the death but are concerned there is a link.

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight police spokesman said: "Police have recovered a quantity of wild mushrooms from the address in Gunville Road, Newport. The mushrooms are being examined to confirm their identities, and where they are from."

The Isle of Wight Council, which run the gardens, said in a statement: "While the circumstances are currently being investigated, it appears a large quantity of wild mushrooms - including the toxic death cap mushroom - were collected from the vicinity of Ventnor Botanic Gardenand subsequently eaten.

"The death cap mushroom is not cultivated by Ventnor Botanic Garden - no mushrooms or fungi form part of displays - but is believed to have been growing wild in the 22-acre site. "