Lost Paradise Owner Addresses Festival Death In Open Letter

Lost Paradise owner Simon Beckingham has addressed the passing of a 22-year-old male who died after taking an "unknown substance" at the event in a open letter issued today. 

It's reported that the Brisbane local, Joshua Tam, fell ill after taking a "deadly pill" and died shortly after being transported from the Glenworth Valley festival to Gosford Hospital last week.

"It was a very distressing incident and a hugely emotional time for our entire team," the letter reads.

"Our sincerest thoughts and condolences are with the family and friends.

"I have so much respect for our medical team, NSW Ambulances, NSW fire and rescue, Red Dawn security and DanceWize who worked under very stressful conditions to keep our patrons safe.

"I can only hope that we, as an industry and wider community, are able to reflect and learn from this tragic incident and continue to work together to improve harm reduction measures at future festivals and events."

Read the full open letter above.

Following Lam's death, a 20-year-old male was confirmed to have passed away the next day after being hospitalised from a suspected overdose at Beyond The Valley festival in Victoria.

Speaking to The Music last week, Matt Noffs, CEO of Ted Noffs Foundation, who were instrumental in Australia's first-ever pill testing trial at Groovin The Moo in Canberra last year, called out NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian for her continued opposition to pill testing. 

"I've got a very simple line for the Premier which is... for God's sake before you make a decision, listen to the evidence," Noffs said.

"Because when you don't listen to the evidence and you make an ill-informed opinion, it's pure ignorance and it really angers many many parents across Australia."