Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Wednesday, April 24, 2024 75° Today's Paper


Top News

Electronic dance music festival attendee in Vegas dies

1/1
Swipe or click to see more
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Carnival goers dance to music by Krewella at the Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.

Authorities say it will take a month or two to determine the cause of death of an attendee at an electronic dance music festival in Las Vegas.

The 24-year-old man was among some 135,000 dance music fans who attended the Electric Daisy Carnival overnight after a record-tying high of 113 degrees for the date was reached in Las Vegas on Saturday afternoon.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man who passed away," the festival’s organizer, Insomniac Inc., said in a statement. "The health and safety of our fans is Insomniac’s first priority and we take every measure to create a safe environment.

"While the cause of this tragedy will take some time to determine, we ask that you keep his loves ones in your thoughts and prayers. Tonight and every night, we ask all of our fans to take care of themselves and one another."

The man’s name was not immediately released.

Clark County coroner’s investigator Derek Dubasik said Sunday afternoon that the office was still working to positively identify the man.

"Based on the location and circumstances involved (in the death), it’ll take four to eight weeks before we’ll have toxicology results back and can determine the cause of death," he said.

The 113 degrees on Saturday tied the record high for the date set in 1940 and 1961, said National Weather Service forecaster Justin Pullin of Las Vegas. The mercury dropped to 97 degrees by midnight Saturday and to 87 degrees by 5 a.m. Sunday.

Organizers urged attendees to drink plenty of water and to take advantage of hydration and cooling stations set up around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The stations offer places where attendees can drink water and recharge with air conditioning.

Roaming medical teams assist those in need, and first aid tents with medical personnel are located throughout the festival.

There were 408 mostly minor medical calls at the event over a 12-hour period ending 6 a.m. Sunday, and seven people were taken to hospitals, police said.

They also reported 26 felony drug-related arrests, 10 misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor arrests and one driving under the influence arrest.

The three-day event ending early Monday morning features a lengthy lineup of DJs performing on elaborate stages amid a carnival-like setting of rides, pyrotechnic displays and art installations.

Last year, three people who came to Las Vegas for the festival died.

Comments are closed.