Man dies at Pitch music festival after suspected drug overdose, as thousands of people are told to pack up and leave due to dangerous heatwave

A man has died of a suspected drug overdose at the Pitch music festival near Ararat in south-west Victoria.

The man, aged in his 20s, was airlifted to Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital about 4am on Sunday, where he later died.

The dance music festival was canceled on Sunday due to a dangerous heat wave and extreme fire danger, organizers said in a statement.

“After consultation with authorities, we have been instructed to cancel the remainder of Pitch Music & Arts 2024 in light of an updated extreme fire danger warning issued (on Sunday afternoon).”

‘No one is in immediate danger. “We encourage everyone on site not to rush, pack up slowly and leave early tonight or tomorrow,” they said.

‘Remember to stay hydrated, and be patient and calm with staff and each other.’

The festival started on Friday and would last until Tuesday.

Two other festival goers – men in their 30s and 40s – were also taken to hospital for a suspected overdose and are in a stable condition.

They were taken to the East Grampians Health Service in a stable condition on Saturday after suspected substance use at the festival.

The heatwave, which was upgraded from severe to extreme on Sunday, continues to hit the region, with authorities warning that conditions could worsen the negative effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy).

The heat’s toll on partygoers was seen earlier this year at Melbourne’s Hardmission festival, where eight partygoers were hospitalized after overdosing.

Pitch Music & Arts organizers encouraged attendees driving to the festival to “make sure you have a sober and rested driver.”

“For those who came by other means of transport, additional buses to Ararat will be organized today, starting again tomorrow from 6am,” they said.

‘Our staff are ready to assist you with any questions you may have or with organizing your departure.’

Festival organizers have faced accusations that they are endangering visitors by going ahead with the event despite the extreme heat.

On Friday evening, thousands of ticket holders, many of whom had no telephone service, were left confused after being told to leave due to ‘extreme fire risk’.

However, the message was followed on Saturday afternoon by an announcement that the event would go ahead despite warnings from the Country Fire Authority.

“As of this writing, there are no active fires in the region and we want to assure you that those on site have access to adequate shade, cooling misting fans, food and water,” the update said.

Ticket prices for the event ranged from $449 for a two-day pass to $499 for a four-day pass. An additional fee was paid for camping and car passes.

It is not known if visitors will be refunded the price of their tickets, which started at $449 for a two-day pass

Organizers have not confirmed whether attendees will receive a refund, saying on Sunday: ‘We appreciate your patience as we work on this.

‘Ticket holders will receive an update as soon as more information becomes available.

“Our top priority right now is to get everyone home safely.”

The online cancellation announcement was met with harsh reactions from confused attendees.

“There is no reception to connect with our family and friends,” one person wrote.

Revelers were warned that a heatwave hitting the region (pictured) could worsen the negative effects of drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy)

‘How come those present don’t know this? It would be a good idea if you told those present what happened,” said another.

“I just spoke to our son who is also there, but there was no mention at the event that it was canceled,” another wrote.

Very high temperatures have also hit Melbourne, with Monday’s Moomba Parade canceled.

“Safety, health and wellbeing must be the top priority,” Melbourne Mayor Sally Capp said on Sunday.