Totem Onelove releases statement after Stereosonic death

Promoter Totem Onelove Group posted a brief statement on the Stereosonic Facebook page yesterday morning, after the death of a patron at its Sydney show. It was the first stop of the national EDM festival.

“Totem Onelove conveys our deepest condolences to the friends and family of the patron who tragically passed away on Saturday night at Sydney Stereosonic. As it is a matter with the NSW Police and Coroner we cannot make any further statements or comment. We appeal to our audience that they stay safe and look out for each other,” it read.

The 11-hour event at Sydney Olympic Park, which sold out the day before, drew 48,000 to see the likes of Armin van Buuren, Dipolo, DJ Snake and Major Lazer, Axwell Λ Ingrosso, Showtek, Peking Duk, Will Sparks, MK, Timmy Trumpet, Generik and What So Not.

25-year-old Sylvia Choi, a qualified pharmacist from Oyster Bay, died in Concord Hospital. A 22-year old woman, apparently a British tourist, was in an induced coma at Westmead Hospital and in a stable condition last night. Nine others were hospitalised. 69 patrons were charged with drug supply and possession while another 23 were given cannabis cautions.

“This number is alarming and disappointing, especially after we warned revellers about the dangers of drug use,” said Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli who oversaw the police operation at the festival.

This was the second time in as many days that Totem Onelove had to issue a statement over patrons contravening its no-drugs policy.

Late last week it responded to two incidents when two men were found on the Sydney festival site, allegedly trying to plant drugs before the security fences went up, police alleged. The two face court in February.

Totem Onelove expressed its “disappointment” at the men’s actions. “We are being publicly vigilant to our patrons about our zero tolerance for drugs, unfortunately these two individuals have demonstrated their lack of respect for the law and for their fellow Stereosonic attendees and are banned from future events,” said marketing director John Curtin in the statement.

Stereosonic was staged in Perth at Claremont Showgrounds yesterday. It heads this Saturday (December 5) to Bonython Park in Adelaide and Melbourne Showgrounds, and winds up Brisbane Showgrounds on December 6.