Man dies at Pitch music pageant in suspected drug overdose as hundreds are instructed pack up and go away due to harmful heatwave

A person has died after he suffered a suspected drug overdose on the Pitch pageant which was being held close to Ararat in south-western Victoria.

The person in his 20s was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital at round 4am on Sunday morning and later died in The Alfred.

The controversial pageant was cancelled on Sunday resulting from a harmful heatwave and excessive fireplace hazard, the organisers mentioned in a press release. 

‘No one is in instant hazard. We encourage everybody on website to not rush, calmly pack-up and depart both this night or early tomorrow,’ they mentioned. 

‘Please keep in mind to remain hydrated, and be affected person and calm with employees and one another.’

The pageant, which began on Friday and was set to run by way of to Tuesday.

Two different pageant goers – males aged of their 30s and 40s – have been additionally taken to hospital affected by suspected overdoses and are in a steady situation.

They have been taken to the East Grampians Well being Service in a steady situation after suspected substance use on the pageant on Saturday. 

The heatwave, which was upgraded from extreme to excessive on Sunday, continues to have an effect on the area with authorities warning situations may worsen the adverse results of medication comparable to MDMA (ecstasy).

The toll of warmth on partygoers have been seen earlier this 12 months at Melbourne’s Hardmission pageant which noticed eight revellers hospitalised after overdosing.

Pitch Music & Arts organisers inspired attendees who drove to the pageant to ‘guarantee you may have a sober and rested driver’.

‘For individuals who got here by different technique of transport, extra buses to Ararat are being organised as we speak, and start once more from 6am tomorrow,’ they mentioned.

‘Our employees are available to help you with any enquiries or with organising your departure.’ 

Pageant organisers have confronted accusations they put attendees in danger by persevering with the occasion regardless of the acute warmth.

On Friday evening hundreds of ticket holders, many who had no telephone reception, have been left confused after being instructed to go away resulting from ‘excessive fireplace hazard’.

Nonetheless, the message was adopted by an announcement on Saturday afternoon that the occasion would go forward, regardless of warnings from the Nation Fireplace Authority.

‘On the time of writing there aren’t any energetic fires within the area and we want to reassure you that those that are on website have entry to ample shade, cooling misting followers, meals and water,’ the replace mentioned.

Ticket costs for the occasion ranged from $449 for a two-day go as much as $499 for a four-day go. Tenting and automobile passes got here with an extra charge.

Organisers haven’t confirmed whether or not attendees will likely be refunded with Sunday’s assertion studying: ‘We recognize your endurance as we work by way of this.

‘Ticket holders will obtain an replace as extra data turns into out there.

‘Our prime precedence proper now’s to get everybody on website house safely.’

The net cancellation announcement was met with harsh backlash from confused attendees.

‘There’s no reception to get in touch with our household and pals,’ one wrote.

‘How come folks attending do not know this? Be a good suggestion when you instructed folks attending what was taking place,’ one other mentioned.

‘Simply spoke to our son who’s there and no point out on the occasion that it’s cancelled,’ one other wrote.

Very excessive temperatures have additionally hit Melbourne, with Monday’s Moomba Parade being cancelled.

‘Security, well being and wellbeing must be the highest precedence,’ Melbourne mayor Sally Capp mentioned on Sunday.

Extra to return…