Twin Tragedies Haunt Music Festivals

Sydney has been rocked by tragedies at two recent music festivals.

Last weekend, 23-year-old Sydney woman Anneke Vo was found dead at the Dragon Dreaming Festival, which is held annually at Wee Jasper in the state’s south.

It has been reported that Ms Vo passed away after consuming an unknown substance.

Meanwhile, 20-year-old Jordan Brown from Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been charged with several offences relating to a fatal accident which occurred as he was driving home from the Psyfari music festival at Lithgow.

Dragon Dreaming Death

Ms Vo bid farewell to her family on the 22nd of October as they dropped her off at a local train station to attend the Dragon Dreaming Festival.

She was supposed to return home after the four day event, which is billed as a celebration of ‘art, music, nature and the freedom of self-expression in a safe, family friendly gathering.’

Sadly, she was found deceased at around 5:30am on Sunday the 25th of October.

Medical professionals attempted to perform CPR but were unable to revive her.

Media reports say that in the hours prior to her death, Ms Vo had told her friends that she was feeling unwell, and went to go and lie down. But when they returned to check up on her, she has passed away.

The cause for Ms Vo’s death is not yet known; but it is understood that she had no underlying medical conditions and, as such many, there is speculation that her death may have been linked to drug use. It is hoped that a toxicology report will reveal the exact cause of the tragedy .

The festival’s organiser has offered his condolences to the young woman’s friends and family, stating:

“Dragon Dreaming considers the safety of patrons a priority and we will continue to work closely with all authorities to determine exactly what happened in this situation. This event relies on a close-knit community of volunteers and patrons who are all saddened by the tragic loss of a precious young life.”

78 people were accused of drug possession at this year’s festival, up on last year’s figure of 74.

Police have warned that this year’s tragedy may put an end to future instalments of the festival, with Superintendant Zoran Dzevlan stating: ‘[The festival] does concern me and personally I’d prefer the event didn’t take place.’

Psyfari Festival ends in Tragedy

Meanwhile, a young man from Sydney’s Northern Beaches has been charged with a suite of offences following a tragic accident which occurred as he and his friends were returning from the Psyfari Music Festival, which was held near Lithgow between the 28th and 30th of August this year.

Jordan Brown was driving back from the festival along with four friends, when his car was involved in a head-on collision on the Bells Line of Road at Bilpin.

Three passengers who were travelling in the back seat of his car – 17-year-old Lachie Burleigh, 19-year-old Ben Sawyer and 21-year-old Luke Shanahan were killed instantly, but Mr Brown and his front seat passenger escaped without serious injury. An elderly couple who were travelling in the other vehicle were lucky to escape with their lives.

Mr Brown has been charged with three counts of dangerous driving occasioning death, dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and drug driving.

The tragedy shook the tight knit Northern Beaches community – but during an emotional tribute, the parents of deceased Lachlan Burleigh told Mr Brown that ‘we do forgive you, we know that you’re going through so much pain, we are too.’

It is unclear how Mr Brown will plead to the charges. He has been granted bail and is due to appear at Windsor Local Court on November 12.