Concerns have been raised about access to free drinking water at Mutiny festival this weekend following the death of two people believed to have taken high-strength ecstasy pills.
The festival cancelled its final day on Sunday (May 27). An 18-year-old woman and and a 20-year-old man died in separate incidents at the festival’s site in King George V Playing Fields, Cosham.
A hospital spokesman said a total of 15 people had presented with “drug-related” symptoms on Saturday. It could not confirm if all 15 illnesses were related to drugs.
A 20-year-old from Havant, a 20-year-old from Waterlooville, and a 22-year-old from Cosham were all taken into custody on Monday, Hampshire Police said.
Reports were spotted on social media alleging that after 4pm, there was a lack of drinking water on-site with some of the taps not working at all. The festival’s organisers vehemently denied access to water was limited and said the 21 taps were working at all times.
One of the victim’s father said: “It’s no good saying ‘don’t do drugs’, all I can say is ‘take this on board, look what’s happened, if you want to end up that way, carry on’. If you don’t, don’t even think about it.”
> Shiuly Rina
