Organisers 'devastated' by clubgoer's death and illness of at least five others at show featuring DJs Axwell and Armand Van Helden

Organisers of Manchester's Warehouse Project concert series are "devastated" after one clubgoer died and at least five more were taken to hospital. The venue's director blamed a "bad batch of ecstasy" for Friday's incident, which saw paramedics called to a show featuring DJs Axwell and Armand Van Helden.

Nick Bonnie, 30, died at Manchester's Royal Infirmary in the early hours of Saturday morning. He had reportedly travelled from Bristol for a "lads' weekend" with friends; all five purchased and consumed what they believed was ecstasy, but fell ill at the Old Trafford venue. Another woman, unrelated to the group, was also taken to hospital after taking drugs and collapsing in the venue.

"The worrying thing is … these substances have come from different sources," Police Chief Superintendent Mark Roberts said. "If people buy drugs in these circumstances, you really don't know what you're getting and it could be fatal the first time you take it. I don't think it's worth the gamble."

In a statement on the Warehouse Project website, organisers extended their condolences to Bonnie's family. They have a "zero-tolerance policy with regards to drugs", they said, and "are assisting the police investigation". Trained medics are on hand at the club space, they say – if dancers are ever feeling unwell, "please don't wait to get help". "Likewise, if you see someone who looks like they need help, please let a staff member know as soon as possible."

If toxicology reports confirm that Bonnie's death was caused by ecstasy or a "cut" version of the drug, it will be Britain's 12th ecstasy-related death in the past year, with MDMA being linked to three deaths in Macclesfield, two in Bolton, two in Wigan and two in Buxton, Derbyshire, as well as deaths in Salford and Warrington.

In a separate incident, an alleged drug dealer is also in critical condition after being arrested outside the Warehouse Project on Saturday night. Accused of selling drugs, the 25-year-old man is believed to have ingested his stash, falling unconscious. "After the tragic events of Friday night it almost defies belief that drug dealers would continue to target this venue," Roberts told Metro.

The incidents this weekend follow a statement by one of England's most senior police officers, who has called for the decriminalisation of class-A drugs and for the policy of outright prohibition to be radically revised.

Writing in the Observer, Mike Barton, Durham's chief constable said: "If an addict were able to access drugs via the NHS or something similar, then they would not have to go out and buy illegal drugs. Buying or being treated with, say, diamorphine is cheap. It's cheap to produce it therapeutically."