One Dead, 60 Arrested, Nine Hospitalised At Defqon Dance Festival

A coronial investigation is currently underway into the death of a 26-year-old man from Albury who was found unconscious at Sydney music festival Defqon.1 on Saturday night. 

According to police reports, the man was found unconscious in a tent by friends just after 11pm at the hard style dance event, where they performed first aid until emergency personnel arrived and took him to Nepean Hospital where he later died.

An investigation is now being conducted into the circumstances of the man's death with witnesses to be interviewed by Penrith police, while they are also calling on people who have any information on the incident to contact them. 

During the festival which took place at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, 60 people were arrested and of that number, 46 were for drug offences, four were for drug supply and the remaining related to public order and trespass offences.

Throughout the day-long festival, nine people were also taken to Nepean Hospital by NSW ambulance. 

In a related operation, a public bus heading to the festival was stopped in Hornsby by officers where 30 passengers were searched and 14 people were found to be in possession of drugs including MDMA and cannabis. 

This is not the first time Defqon.1 has dealt with similar circumstances; last year 83 drug-related arrests were made and in 2013, a 23-year-old man died in hospital after attending the event, while 87 punters were arrested. 

As ABC reports, a spokesperson from Q Dance Australia confirmed the organiser of the festival was giving their full support to police. 

"At present, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends," the spokesperson said of the Albury man's death.

"Everyone on our team is deeply shocked and affected by this tragic event."

"Until the NSW Police investigation is completed and respecting the privacy of the family, we cannot make any further statements."