A 19-year-old man has died and a 20-year-old Arncliffe man is in a critical condition following Sydney’s A State Of Trance Festival, which took place at Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, 7th February.
According to NSW Police, the 19-year-old collapsed at A State Of Trance, and was taken to hospital in a critical condiditon, where he later died. A post mortem and toxicology tests will be carried out, with NSW Police also preparing a brief for the Coroner.
The 20-year-old man remains in a critical but stable condition on life support, after being taken to Westmead Hospital. Four other men were also taken to hospital following the electronic music event, with police believing they had consumed illegal drugs.
Over 16,000 punters were in attendance at A State Of Trance over the weekend, which saw a headline set from DJ Armin van Buuren. Around 180 festival-goers were searched for drugs, with police laying 40 charges and arresting three people on drug supply charges. A large proportion of the drugs present are believed to have been MDMA.
A total of 23 people were treated by medical staff at the event.
South Western Metropolitan regional commander Assistant Commissioner Mennilli says police made it clear a drug dog operation would be in force at A State Of Trance, and that such operations will continue.
“New South Wales Police will continue to use drug dogs and search people at events if we believe they are carrying illegal drugs. If you carry and supply illegal drugs you will be arrested,” says Assistant Commissioner Mennilli.
The death of the 19-year-old man, who is yet to be publicly identified, comes roughly three months after the drug-related death of Sydneysider Georgina Bartter, who passed away after taking ecstasy at Harbourlife Festival in November.
