2 B.C. teen friends die suddenly

Police in Richmond and Burnaby are investigating the recent sudden deaths of two teenage females within hours of each other early Tuesday.

Investigators from RCMP detachments in both cities are looking into the deaths of the two girls, aged 16 and 17. Early indications were that alcohol and possibly drugs were contributing factors according to Cpl. Brenda Gresiuk.

The girls were friends and witnesses report seeing them together Monday night, Gresiuk said Wednesday.

Burnaby RCMP responded at about 12:40 a.m. PT Tuesday to a report of  a woman lying on the ground on Rumble Street near Patterson Avenue. The 16-year-old was rushed to hospital where she died.

She was later identified as a resident of Vancouver.

Residents at a home in Richmond called RCMP about eight hours later to report a young woman in medical distress. The 17-year-old female also later died.

The exact causes of death might not be known until toxicology tests are completed in two weeks, Gresiuk said.