UPDATE: Man Charged With Supplying Drugs Allegedly Linked To FOMO Festival Death
ORIGINAL STORY: A 19-year-old woman has died from a suspected overdose while attending the Sydney leg of FOMO Festival yesterday.
According to a police statement, the woman was taken from the festival at Parramatta at around 6pm last night to Westmead Hospital but died later that evening.
The statement also said that 146 people were searched, out of the approximate 11,000 people in attendance, with 54 of those found in possession of drugs.
Additionally, 36 arrests were made yesterday, including a 19-year-old man who fled from police after they found a white substance of him but was eventually caught inside the Parramatta River.
In a statement to Music Feeds, FOMO said it was “deeply saddened” by the 19-year-old woman’s death.
“The woman was with her family when she died at Westmead Hospital. Our most heartfelt and sincerest condolences go out to her family and friends,” the festival said.
“The safety and wellbeing of our patrons is at the forefront of every planning decision. We work very closely with NSW Police, NSW Health, Ambulance NSW and our medical team to ensure every planning measure is executed on the day.
“Our anti-drug messaging began weeks ahead of the event and continued at the event itself – a message we’re proud to deliver and will continue to do so with unwavering commitment in order to keep our beloved patrons safe.
“FOMO Festival has always been clear that we do not condone the sale, supply or consumption of illicit substances. We are working closely with police on the matter and cannot provide further comment. Our hearts are with the family.”
This comes after a huge push by the public for pill testing at festivals – a concept that has been refuted by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian. In fact, a large amount of Aussie festivals have also banded together, under the Australian Festival Association, to call for pill testing.
This follows other deaths at recent festivals due to suspected overdoses, including a 22-year-old at NSW’s Lost Paradise and a 20-year-old at VIC’s Beyond The Valley.
FOMO makes its final stop around the country at Melbourne today. The lineup includes Nicki Minaj, Rae Sremmurd, Mura Masa, Aminé and more.
UPDATE 14/01/19: Family Of 19-Year-Old Who Died After FOMO Festival Calls For Pill Testing
