Defqon. 1: Nigel Pauljevic, 26, dies at popular Sydney music festival

NIGEL Pauljevic’s family have spoken of the loss of their caring ‘sensitive soul’ who was ‘always looking out for others’ after their ‘lives changed forever’ over the weekend.

Defqon. 1 victim’s family tell of ‘sensitive soul’

JUST days ago Albury man Nigel Pauljevic was talking ­excitedly with friends about ­attending the Defqon. 1 dance festival.

On Saturday night the 26-year-old was taken by stretcher from the event, at Sydney International Regatta Centre, after collapsing unconscious.

He later died at Nepean Hospital, leaving behind shocked family members who are grieving his sudden loss.

The Pauljevic family released a statement today.

“Our lives changed forever this weekend,” the statement said. “We have been deeply affected by this tragedy and we are reeling from the loss.”

The family said they are still tyring to process what had happened.

“Nigel was very much loved as a brother and son; he was a cherished member of our family.

“He was a sensitive soul, so caring and loving; always looking out for others, putting their needs before his own. We miss him so much.”

Mr Pauljevic, a member of the Chiltern Football Netball Club, was an avid partygoer who shared videos of himself on pub crawls with his brother and sister in Albury.

He was one of 18 people from Defqon admitted to Nepean Hospital on the weekend.

Police were angry anti-drug messages were not sinking in, with 46 drug-related arrests.

Mr Pauljevic’s family was too distraught to speak when contacted by The Daily Telegraph yesterday, however his former football coach remembered a happy and kind-hearted larrikin.

“He was a nice fella, a big friendly fella,” Luke Brookes said. “He didn’t have a bad bone in his body.”

Mr Pauljevic’s family was too distraught to speak when contacted by The Daily Telegraph yesterday / Picture: Facebook

Police are investigating Mr Pauljevic’s death and awaiting the results of an autopsy. He was found unconscious about 11pm on Saturday and friends and festival-goers worked desperately to revive him.

The Daily Telegraph has learnt several people who provided first aid to Mr Pauljevic remained shaken after the ordeal. It is understood he was found by organisers and festival-goers at the end of the night’s music program as staff attempted to clear everybody from the venue.

The man was found unconscious just after 11.30pm and was rushed to Nepean Hospital where he died. Picture: Facebook

In a statement, Defqon. 1 organiser Q-dance Australia told The Daily Telegraph it was ­cooperating with police and extended sympathies to the Pauljevic family: “At present, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Everyone on our team is deeply shocked and affected by this tragic event.”

At the 2013 staging of the festival, 23-year-old Victorian James Munro died after overdosing on a bad batch of drugs.

James Munro died at the same dance party after overdosing on drugs two years ago. Picture: Seven News

Police made 60 arrests at the festival — including 46 for drug-related activities — and caught two people with 46 pills of what is believed to be MDMA. Police also searched a bus on the way to Defqon and found 14 passengers in possession of drugs including cannabis and ecstasy.

According to the Defqon. 1 website, organisers display a zero-tolerance attitude to illegal drugs but encourage attendees to “lose their mind”.

Albury mayor Kevin Mack described Nigel Pauljevic’s death as a “tragedy for the community”.

Performers at the Defqon. 1 music festival where a man in his 20s was found unconscious before dying in hospital. Picture: Facebook