Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
One Person Dies At This Year's EDC In Las Vegas
A crowd at EDC in 2014 (Photos by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
One person has died already at this year's Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas.As the 2015 edition of EDC goes into its third and final day at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Metro Police says over 400 medical calls were made on day 2 of the festival, including seven who had to be taken to the hospital and the one fatality. "I'd hate to have another tragedy," Clark County Fire Chief Jon Klassen told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The coroner has yet to release the cause of death or the identity of the deceased.
The combination of drug and alcohol use that is typical at raves such as EDC and the extreme temperatures of the desert can be a deadly combination. The AP says temperatures reached 113 degrees on Saturday afternoon. Last year saw the death of two EDC attendees, including a 24-year old man from California who died of an overdose. Authorities remind attendees to stay hydrated.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures are expected to reach as high as 111 degrees, but should dip to the low 80s once the festival ends early Monday morning.
Festival organizers say about 135,000 people attended Saturday. Las Vegas Metro Police also reported 26 arrests for felony drug charges, and KVVU reports one person was arrested for a DUI.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
