As friends of Sylvia Choi, the 25-year-old pharmacist who died of a suspected drug overdose at Stereosonic on Saturday, discussions about how / what could have been done to prevent the tragedy inevitable ramp up.
RIP Sylvia
It’s now been revealed that the paramedic company privately hired by festival organisers to provide first aid services at the event, Event Medical Services, banned its staff from talking to NSW Police after Sylvia’s death.
Fairfax got hold on an internal email – likely forwarded on by a staff member pissed off about allegedly only told the pay rate was $30p/h until just before the festival kicked off – that’s basically a gag order.
“There is to be no comments made by EMS staff members about any of the events that occurred at Stereosonic,” the email read. “If you are approached by the police (which has happened before) do not make any comment.”
The email, via Fairfax, sent around to EMS staff
EMS founder Mike Hammond has defended sending the email round to the 55 staff members who worked the Sydney Olympic Park festival, saying it was less about shutting people up and more about ensuring the police talked to him first.
“They [NSW Police] come to me, I own the company, they don’t talk to anybody at the end of the queue, they call the head of the company.”
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli has said there was no delay in providing medical attention to ravers.
Police are currently prepping a brief on Sylvia’s death for the coroner.
Lead image via Jonathan Ng.
Via Fairfax.
Via Fairfax.
