Festival tragedy as two young men die

The two men, aged 21 and 26, attended the Knockout Outdoor music festival at Sydney Olympic Park with 53,000 others before one of them collapsed at the festival and was taken to hospital in a critical condition while the other was treated by paramedics at a Sydney hotel, before being transferred to hospital – where they both died.
Detectives investigating the death of the 21-year-old man charged another man over his alleged role.
Investigators arrested a 23-year-old man at Sydney Airport last Monday and during a search of the man, located and seized $13,535 in cash to undergo forensic examination.
He was charged with supply self-administered prohibited drug cause etc death, and deal with property proceeds of crime less than $100,000 and refused bail.
Auburn Police Area Commander, Superintendent Simon Glasser said people might think they could use prohibited drugs but police would enforce the law – and prosecute people who committed offences.
While he wouldn’t comment on calls for pill-testing, Supt Glasser said: “That’s a matter for the Government, however our police see the adverse affects of drug use every day.”
“This shows that people can die at music festivals, drugs can have horrible consequences.”
Police conducted a high-visibility operation at the festival and charged 27 people with possessing a prohibited drug, while two men and two women were charged with supplying a prohibited drug.
About 8pm, officers patrolling the venue saw a man run off in an attempt to allegedly avoid them, before he was stopped and searched, with police allegedly locating 491 MDMA pills as well as 4g of cocaine and cash. He was charged with supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity, supply prohibited drug, and recklessly dealing with proceeds of crime.
Earlier in the afternoon, a 21-year-old man who was stopped by police after a positive drug dog detection was allegedly found to be in possession of 61 ecstasy tablets and 40 MDMA capsules as well as cocaine.
He was charged with two counts of supply prohibited drug – indictable quantity, and two counts of possess prohibited drug.
Festival organisers have stated that illegal and illicit drugs and drug paraphernalia were not permitted and they “do not condone possession or use of illegal drugs” at their events.