Portsmouth Mutiny Festival: Two die after falling ill

Two young people have died after falling ill at a dance music festival in Hampshire.

An 18-year-old woman and a 20-year-old man died in separate incidents at Mutiny Festival in Portsmouth.

Hampshire Police said the deaths at the festival site in King George V Playing Fields, Cosham, were not being treated as suspicious.

Organisers have cancelled the festival on Sunday "as a safety precaution".

A statement on Facebook read: "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."

The decision "was not taken lightly" and had been supported by "the local statutory authorities," it added.

Earlier, the festival had issued a "harm prevention alert" apparently warning about the use of drugs.

The message to festivalgoers described a "dangerous high-strength or bad-batch substance on site".
Police were alerted to the woman falling ill at 19:10 BST on Saturday, and the man was found collapsed about 20 minutes later.

Both were taken to the Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, where they later died.

Organisers said on social media that they were "devastated" about the deaths.

In a statement, Hampshire Police said: "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."

The force said next-of-kin had been informed and relatives were being supported by specialist officers.

"Inquiries 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," the statement added. Last year, Hampshire Police called for the minimum entry age to the festival to be increased after reports of sex assaults, drug use and fighting.

The force urged Portsmouth City Council to ban anyone under 18 in an effort to reduce crime.

It followed reports that children as young as 13 were being allowed to attend.

Organisers said there had been "revised entry procedures" for this year's event.

The two-day festival features artists performing electronic music including drum 'n' bass, garage and hip hop.

Dizzee Rascal, Craig David and Sean Paul are among the big names at the event ending on Sunday.