Essex Police investigating after two people, who both attended New World Festival, die

Police have said the deaths are being treated as unexpected

Author: Ellie CloutePublished 10th May 2023

Essex Police are investigating after two people in their twenties died, after both attending the same festival.

The force were called to the Holiday Inn at the Festival Leisure Part in Basildon on Monday 1 May, after reports of concern for a woman in her 20s.

She was taken to hospital in a critical condition, and sadly died later, with her death under investigation as Police investigate how she became unwell.

Separately, they were informed of a man in his 20s that had died suddenly. His death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.

Further enquiries are being carried out for both deaths to investigate a cause of death, and they are both being treated as unexpected.

New World Festival took place at Gloucester Park on the 30th April.

Event Organisers "extremely saddened" to hear of the deaths

A statement from New World Events says: "The Event Organisers for New World Festival were extremely saddened to learn of the deaths of two young adults who had earlier attended our event. Our thoughts go out to their family and friends during this extremely difficult time.

"We would like to thank our staff, including our security teams, who with the use of manual searches and a search dog, prevented many people with illegal substances from entering the event. Also to our medical teams who treated a number of people who were under the influence of substances or alcohol both inside and outside of the event.

"We will cooperate fully with Essex Police as they investigate the circumstances of these tragic deaths and share any information that we, or our contractors, may hold. We will also work to identify any lessons that can be applied to increase safety at any future events."

Essex Police continuing investigations

A statement from Essex Police says: "We were called to concerns for the welfare of a woman at the Holiday Inn at the Festival Leisure Park in Basildon shortly after 2.15am on Monday 1 May.

Emergency services attended and the woman, aged in her 20s, was taken to hospital in a critical condition.

Very sadly, she later died. Her death is being treated as unexpected and under investigation and enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances which led to her becoming unwell.

Her family is being supported by our officers.

Separately, we have also received a report of the sudden death of a man aged in his 20s.

His death is being treated as unexpected and unexplained, but, at this stage, not suspicious. Further enquiries will be carried out to identify a cause of death."

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