Man dies after being taken ill at music festival

A man in his 20s has died after a drum and bass music festival in Kent, police have confirmed.

The man was taken to hospital in a "very serious condition" from the event at Dreamland amusement park on Saturday afternoon.

He was taken to the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital (QEQM) in the town, where he subsequently died.

The concert had been stopped early, with Dreamland saying on social media that it was "just too hot".

Earlier, South East Coast Ambulance Service said a patient was taken to the QEQM hospital in a "very serious condition".

In a statement on Sunday afternoon, Kent Police said it "was made aware of a report that a man in his 20s, who was taken to hospital following a medical incident at Dreamland in Margate... subsequently died."

A spokesperson said officers were making enquiries into the circumstances of the death which was not believed to be suspicious, and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

The leader of Thanet District Council, Rick Everitt, said: "Our first thoughts are with the family and friends of the young man who has tragically lost his life."

He said the council's role as the licensing authority was "strictly defined in law" and it would need to "take the time to get a full picture" of what had happened.

He cautioned against "speculation", saying it was "unfair to everyone concerned, particularly to the individual who has so sadly lost his life".

The event had been due to end at 22:45 BST, according to the venue's website, but at about 18:30 BST, Dreamland posted on X, saying: "Sorry guys, it was just too hot today, so we had to close early. Get home safely."

The festival had been due to feature artists including Andy C, Wilkinson and K Motionz.

An amber heat alert has been in force across most of England, meaning health services and members of the public could be affected by the heat, according to the UK Health Security Agency.

In June 2024, 17-year-old Emily Stokes died after taking MDMA at a drum and bass event at the attraction.

Dreamland has been approached for comment.

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