There has been another spree of hospitalisations following a big weekend of music festivals across Australia over the weekend.
Two men are in a critical condition in hospital after attending the Hardcore Til I Die festival in Sydney.
The men, aged 22 and 24, were rushed to Westmead hospital on Saturday night, but have reportedly stabilised since arriving.
Seven other people were taken to hospital after the same event, with one in a ‘serious’ condition.
Five people were also hospitalised after attending the Electric Gardens festival in Sydney Centennial Park, which included sets by the likes of Set Mo, Bag Raiders & Nick Warren.
Punters at the Hardcore Til I Die festival over the weekend
“NSW Health can confirm 14 patients were transported to hospitals yesterday and overnight from the festivals,” a spokeswoman told Channel Nine.
“NSW Health considers early transport to the hospital to be very important as patients can receive timely high-level medical care in a hospital environment.”
Over in Victoria, police reported 6 overdoses at the Rainbow Serpent Festival, with one young man remaining in a serious condition in hospital.
There were at least 23 people and 17 cautions issued for drug-related offences at the festival.
In addition, four people were injured when a truck rolled down a hill at the festival on Thursday, and a 19-year-old woman believed to be travelling to the event was killed in a smash on the Western Freeway, capping off a horror few days.
Police at the scene where festival-goers were injured by a truck rolling into the campsite
The events of the weekend come as governments around the country face increasing pressure to act on pill testing, an issue that incoming MP Dr Kerryn Phelps labelled a “national leadership, not just a matter for individual states”.
There’s no doubt that the issue is convoluted, but given the track record so far this Summer, we hope that some action will follow soon as opposed to planned heavier penalties.
