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Portsmouth's Mutiny Festival Cancelled Following Two Separate Deaths

Portsmouth's Mutiny Festival Cancelled Following Two Separate Deaths

The second day on Mutiny Festival has cancelled after the death of an 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man

Paddy Maddison

Paddy Maddison

A large-scale music festival, featuring the likes of Craig David and Dizzee Rascal, has been cancelled following the death of an 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man.

Portsmouth's Mutiny Festival, which attracts thousands of fans, announced this morning that the second day would not go ahead in light of the two separate incidents, which police are currently investigating.

No official cause of death has been given by authorities, but in the wake of the tragedies, festival organisers issued a warning about a 'high-strength or bad-batch substance' they believed could be making its way around the site.

A statement issued this morning by the festival said: "Following the terrible news from earlier today, the team behind Mutiny Festival are incredibly sad to announce that the Sunday of the festival has been cancelled as a safety precaution.

PA

"The safety of our amazing customers has always been paramount to us and so to keep everyone safe and in respect to those who have passed, we have taken the decision not to open today. As you can imagine, this decision was not taken lightly and was taken with the support of the local statutory authorities who we continue to work with.

"Enquiries are being made into the circumstances of what has happened, but we must reiterate our advice to all our customers to responsibly dispose of any substances.

"More information will follow when available, we appreciate your understanding at this difficult time."

Craig David and Sean Paul were among the acts who were scheduled to perform today, while UK rapper Dizzee Rascal was the headline act on the opening day.

Police were first alerted to a woman falling ill at the festival site yesterday evening. A man was found collapsed on the floor around 20 minutes later.

Both were rushed to hospital where they later died.

In a message posted to social media shortly after the two were taken ill, festival organisers wrote: "Festival family - we are aware of a dangerous high strength or bad batch substance on site.

"We strongly urge you not to take any substances whatsoever and report any symptoms of illness/discomfort immediately to medical, welfare, security or the safeguarding team."

Hampshire police are now appealing for people to come forward with any information.

A statement from the police said: "At 7.10pm on Saturday 26 May, we were informed that an 18-year-old woman had fallen ill at the festival site in King George V Playing Fields, Cosham.

"The woman was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital where she later died.

"The deaths are being treated as separate incidents at this stage. They are not being treated as suspicious but inquiries are being made to determine the circumstances of what happened in each case."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Mutiny Festival

Topics: Music, crime, Drugs