Two more fatal overdoses may be added to festival death inquest
A young reveller took up to nine potent MDMA pills before he died a music festival, an inquest into five fatal drug overdoses in as many months has heard.
A reveller took up to nine potent MDMA pills before he died at a music festival, the state’s coroner has heard.
It was one of five fatal drug overdoses in as many months at NSW dance parties held since September to be examined at an inquest.
Now two additional deaths may also be put under the microscope, counsel assisting the coroner Peggy Dwyer told a directions hearing on Tuesday.
Dr Dwyer said one partygoer took a single lethal MDMA tablet, while another young man died after taking between six and nine pills in one day.
“The pill consumed was MDMA that was 77 per cent pure - a very high rate of purity,” she told the NSW Coroners Court.
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The fatal overdoses of two young adults from similar raves in previous years may also be put in focus when the full hearing kicks off in the first half of this year.
None of the families of the five youngsters who died came to court as relatives await fast-tracked autopsy and toxicology results.
“The grief that their loved ones are experiencing and will continue to experience is difficult to comprehend,” Acting State Coroner Magistrate Teresa O’Sullivan said.
“I am truly sorry for their loss.”
The probe hopes to investigate water, shade and rest area access at the venues, as well as the adequacy of medical services to allow the coroner to make any recommendations for prevention and public safety.
One young person mixed alcohol and MDMA, but others didn’t drink at all and not everybody sought medical attention, the court heard.
Eyewitnesses, experts and festival organisers could be called to give evidence, while harm minimisation including controversial pill testing was not mentioned.
Police have been given a four-week deadline to serve the brief of evidence ahead of a further directions hearing on February 28 at the NSW Coroners Court in Lidcombe.
In the meantime, Ms O’Sullivan urged young people to learn MDMA poisoning symptoms - a fast heartbeat, high body temperature, confusion and vomiting - to seek help early and prevent another “terrible loss”.
“The hot weather in Australia is set to continue… there are more music and dance festivals planned,” she said.
“We don’t want to see any more deaths.”
Joseph Pham suffered a fatal heart attack at the Defqon.1 festival on September 15 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith, where Diana Nguyen also died of a suspected overdose.
Music student Callum Brosnan, 19, took drugs at the Knockout Games of Destiny at Sydney Olympic Park on December 9 before having a fit and dying at a nearby train station, police sources say.
Investigators suspect Brisbane footballer Joshua Tam, 22, took a fatal mix of ecstasy and booze at the Lost Paradise music festival near Gosford on December 29.
And 19-year-old Alexandra Ross-King died in hospital on January 12 of a suspected overdose after attending the FOMO music festival in Parramatta.
The NSW government has ruled out pill testing but earlier this month Opposition Leader Michael Daley said Labor would explore the possibility if it won the March election.
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