Additional reporting by KMTV’s Bartholomew Hall
A drum ‘n’ bass event where a man fell ill and later died has been branded a “cauldron for disaster” that “should have been cancelled beforehand”.
Thousands of people attended the rave at Dreamland at the weekend, when an amber heat health alert was in place and temperatures hit 28C.
Others who attended say it should never have been allowed to go ahead – and council bosses are set to investigate whether the venue’s licensing conditions were met.
A 21-year-old man who was at the Margate Drum ‘n’ Bass Festival, run by organisers Worried About Henry, was blue-lighted to the QEQM Hospital by ambulance and later died.
The tragedy came almost a year to the day that 17-year-old Emily Stokes died after taking MDMA at the same event.
Thanet councillor John Davis told KentOnline today that Saturday’s rave was “not the greatest idea in hindsight” and called the venue “not fit for purpose”.
The Conservative said: “There was an amber heat warning and, let’s face it, Dreamland isn’t Glastonbury where there is a lot of space.
“Dreamland is a very, very small area, and to have a substantial number of people crammed into that area.
“Drum and bass is high-energy music with high-energy dancing.
“It’s literally a potential cauldron for disaster.
“With an amber heat warning being issued by the government, was it wise?”
Cllr Davis offered his condolences to the man’s family, and says Thanet District Council will be reviewing whether all the theme park’s licensing conditions were adhered to at the event.
He added: “I understand there were a substantial number of heat-related incidents over the course of the afternoon before that escalated to a major medical incident, which sadly led to the young man’s loss of life at the hospital.
“Drum and bass is not a new phenomenon. There are cultural issues around it and its reputation for attracting illegal drug use and people having health issues, not just because of that, just because of overheating and overexcitement.
“It’s vital that people are allowed to express themselves. Like old nightclubs in Thanet.
“It would be great to relive those days, but it’s not fit for purpose.”
On Saturday, Dreamland put a statement on Facebook blaming the gig’s closure on the heat.
It said: “Sorry guys – it’s just too hot. Get home safe.”
Later, police said they had been called to a medical incident before confirming the tragic death.
Today, a Dreamland spokesperson said: “We are supporting the emergency services’ enquiries.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s friends and family at this difficult, sad time.”
Stephen Richardson was one of the ravers at the festival.
Recalling the moment it was shut down, he said: “The MC came onto the stage, saying, ‘I’m sorry but that was the DJ’s last one. We’re having to shut down due to a medical emergency.’
“Obviously, the crowd were a little bit disgruntled, upset by the news and everything like that.
“I was enjoying myself. I was keeping out of the sun, got drinks of water, all that sort of thing.
“There were people out there enjoying themselves. Perhaps they’d had too much to drink, a few drugs, whatever.”
The 38-year-old also believes more shaded areas were needed for guests.
He is a regular attendee at drum ‘n’ bass events, but does not think they will be hosted at the theme park again.
“After two years in a row of someone dying at Dreamland, I genuinely believe they will cancel it after this,” the Faversham resident said.
“I think they should have cancelled it beforehand.
“If they know there’s going to be an issue, temperature-wise, cancel it.”
KentOnline was also at the event and witnessed the shutdown.
Security was upped at the venue this year with stringent ID and bag searches.
Drug-sniffing dogs were also used, but cannabis could still be smelled around the theme park, and small plastic bags were found in the toilets.
