NSW coroner expands inquest into festival deaths

The NSW coroner’s office has expanded an inquiry into drug-related deaths at NSW music festivals with two additions.

It made the announcement at a directions hearing in Sydney yesterday.

Deputy state coroner Harriet Grahame stressed the urgency of the inquiry after the two deaths at Queensland’s Rabbits Eats Lettuce festival.

She said, “The events of Queensland on the weekend just underline how important it is to have this matter dealt with as soon as possible.

“This is a really, really tragic public health issue.”

The number of deaths investigated is now seven, with the addition of Anne Nguyen, who died October 2015 at Dragon Dreaming in the Wee Jasper region; and Hoang Tran who died in December 2017 at the Knockout Games of Destiny at the Showground.

The inquest begins at the Lidcombe court in July after a further directions hearing on Friday, June 21.

It will also look at the deaths of Joseph Nguyen Binh Pham, Diana Nguyen, Callum Brosnan, Alexandra Ross-King and Joshua Gerard Tam between September 2018 and January 2019.

Yesterday’s directions hearing was attended by reps from the NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Police, the Australian Festivals Association and medical response services.

Pill Testing Australia’s Dr David Caldicott is among those who have offered to help in the inquiry, as has toxicologist Andrew Leibie and general practitioner Hester Wilson.