Man, 19, dies and three critical after suspected drug overdoses at dance party
A 19-year-old man has died and three people remain critically ill after attending a Sydney dance party.
The teenager was among more than 18,000 people who attended the Knockout Games of Destiny Dancy Party at Sydney Olympic Park in Homebush, in the city’s west, on Saturday night.
He was transported to Concord Hospital after a suspected drug overdose and died about 4.30am on Sunday, NSW police said in a statement.
Three people remain in a critical but stable condition also after suspected drug overdoses.
The man and two women, aged 19 and 25, were taken to Westmead Hospital.
An additional 13 people were hospitalised and another 130 people sought medical assistance during the event.
Auburn Police Area Command and specialist police units conducted more than 200 searches at the party and found 62 people in possession of drugs.
Five people were charged with drug supply offences.
An 18-year-old woman was allegedly found with 390 MDMA capsules and was charged with supply prohibited drug. She is due to appear at Burwood Local Court on January 10, 2019.
An additional three people were charged with drug supply offences and will appear in court at a later date.
Officers from the Auburn Police Area Command are investigating the circumstances surrounding the man’s death and will prepare a report for the Coroner.
Police urge people to come forward with relevant information.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Sunday she was beside herself that young people weren’t getting the message.
“Of course we want young people to have fun but don’t take an illegal substance, it can kill you,” Ms Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney.
“That’s why we took the measure to increase penalties for people supplying these illegal substances to a maximum of 20 years.”
Asked if it was time to reconsider the government’s position on pill testing, Ms Berejiklian said no.
“Unfortunately, we know that pill testing won’t work because it’ll give people a green light to taking substances, which in the end could still kill them,” she said.
-With AAP
