Shocking twist in Victorian music festival 'drug overdose' death
Snake venom has been found in the body of a young man who died after what was initially believed to be a drug overdose at a Victorian music festival.
Callum Edwards, 20, died in hospital on Tuesday after attending the Beyond The Valley festival in Gippsland on December 29.
His older brother Liam has now refuted initial reports that the 20-year-old died of an overdose, saying those treating him in hospital found venom in his system.
“Tiger snake venom was found in his system,” Liam told the Herald Sun.
His mother Lynette Edwards added “we definitely know there was a reptile involved”.
Hundreds of friends and family are expected to farewell Callum at his funeral in Mansfield today.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Pill testing debate reignites
Mr Edwards’ death and a spate of hospitalisations have reignited the debate about pill testing, with state governments being urged to reconsider their respective stances.
Former AFP commissioner Mick Palmer said “enough is enough” and governments must consider all available evidence, including pill testing, in a bid to save lives because the punitive approach had failed.
“Pill testing is not a silver bullet but it’s a proven and positive way to help prevent this kind of tragedy, has majority support from Australians and must be at least trialled on a pilot basis – if it doesn’t work then stop it,” Mr Palmer said.
He said while young people could easily obtain drugs, they did not know what they were taking.
“It’s not good enough for governments to ignore the available evidence when determining strategy and policy,” he said.
