A man has died from suspected drug overdose at the Pitch music festival held near Ararat in south-western Victoria.
The man in his 20s was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital about 4am on Sunday, where he later died.
The dance music festival was cancelled on Sunday due to a dangerous heatwave and extreme fire danger, the organisers said in a statement.
‘Through consultation with authorities, we have been directed to cancel the remainder of Pitch Music & Arts 2024 in light of an updated extreme fire danger warning issued (on Sunday) afternoon’.
‘Nobody is in immediate danger. We encourage everyone on site not to rush, calmly pack-up and depart either this evening or early tomorrow,’ the statement said.
Pitch Music & Arts 2024 (pictured) has been cancelled following the upgrade of a heatwave over Victoria from severe to extreme
‘Please remember to stay hydrated, and be patient and calm with staff and each other.’
The festival, which started on Friday and was set to run through to Tuesday.
Two other festival goers – men aged in their 30s and 40s – were also taken to hospital suffering from suspected overdoses and are in a stable condition.
They were taken to the East Grampians Health Service in a stable condition on Saturday.
The heatwave, which was upgraded from severe to extreme on Sunday, continues to affect the region with authorities warning conditions could worsen the health effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy).
The toll of heat on partygoers was seen earlier this year at Melbourne’s Hardmission festival which saw eight revellers hospitalised after overdosing.
Pitch Music & Arts organisers encouraged attendees who drove to the festival to ‘ensure you have a sober and rested driver’.
‘For those who came by other means of transport, additional buses to Ararat are being organised today, and commence again from 6am tomorrow,’ they said.
‘Our staff are on hand to assist you with any enquiries or with organising your departure.’
On Friday night thousands of ticket holders, many who had no phone reception, were left confused after being told to leave due to ‘extreme fire danger’.
It is not known whether attendees will be refunded the price of their tickets, which started at $449 for a two-day pass
However, the message was followed by an announcement on Saturday afternoon that the event would go ahead, despite warnings from the Country Fire Authority.
‘At the time of writing there are no active fires in the region and we wish to reassure you that those who are on site have access to ample shade, cooling misting fans, food and water,’ the update said.
Ticket prices for the event ranged from $449 for a two-day pass up to $499 for a four-day pass. Camping and car passes came with an additional fee.
Organisers have not confirmed whether attendees will be refunded with Sunday’s statement reading: ‘We appreciate your patience as we work through this.
‘Ticket holders will receive an update as more information becomes available.
‘Our top priority right now is to get everyone on site home safely.’
Revellers were warned a heatwave affecting the region (pictured) could worsen the negative effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy)
The online cancellation announcement was met with harsh backlash from confused attendees.
‘There’s no reception to get in contact with our family and friends,’ one wrote.
‘How come people attending don’t know this? Be a good idea if you told people attending what was happening,’ another said.
‘Just spoke to our son who’s there and no mention at the event that it’s cancelled,’ another wrote.
Very high temperatures have also hit Melbourne, with Monday’s Moomba Parade being cancelled.
‘Safety, health and wellbeing has to be the top priority,’ Melbourne mayor Sally Capp said on Sunday.
