Teen Dead Of Suspected Overdose After Dance Party In Sydney’s Homebush

Dance Party

A 19-year-old man has died of a suspected overdose and three others remain in critical condition following the Knockout Games Of Destiny Dance Party, a Harder Styles event held yesterday at Sydney‘s Olympic Park.

Per NSW Police reports, the teen was taken to Concord Hospital following a suspected overdose, but died at around 4.30am today. Two women aged 19 and 25 and a man of unknown age were taken to Westmead Hospital, where they remain critical but stable.

An additional 13 people were hospitalised after the event, while 130 sought medical treatment on site. The dance party was attended by an estimated 18,000 people, and police say they issued 69 banning notices and found 62 people in possession of drugs.

Per a media release:

“An 18-year-old girl was allegedly found with 390 MDMA capsules. She was charged with supply prohibited drug and is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on Thursday 10 January 2019. Police spoke with a 25-year-old man, who was allegedly found with 145 MDMA capsules in his possession. The man was charged with supply prohibited drug and possess prohibited drug. He was refused bail and is due to appear at Parramatta Bail Court today (Sunday 9 December 2018).”

South West Metropolitan Region Commander, Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell told media that “police and emergency services continue to send warning messages about illegal drugs, and many festival-goers are choosing to ignore them.”

He said that police will continue to have a strong presence at festivals and dance parties, and that an investigation into the circumstances of the young man’s suspected overdose is being carried out. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.

Earlier this year, premier Gladys Berejiklian vowed to shut down the “unsafe” Defqon1 festival after the deaths of two punters, and said in a subsequent media release that she will not support pill testing at festivals, preferring a “zero tolerance” approach to drugs.

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