UPDATE: Electric Zoo has just announced how it will deal with refunds. Read their statement here:
Due to serious health risks, the last day of Electric Zoo festival has been cancelled as recommended by the City. As a result of 2 deaths and 4 individuals currently in critical condition, the festival organized by Made Event had to shut its doors early. The police said both deaths appear to be “non-suspicious” and consistent with MDMA use. Below is the Office of the Mayor’s official statement.
“Due to serious health risks, the Electric Zoo music festival on Randall’s Island on Sunday, September 1st has been cancelled. The City recommended cancellation and the event promoters have agreed.
During the first two days of the Electric Zoo music festival, two concert-goers have died and at least four others became critically ill and have been placed in intensive care at area hospitals. Both deaths appear to have involved the drug MDMA (ecstasy, or molly). The Electric Zoo organizers have worked with City officials to reduce health risks at this event, but in view of these occurrences, the safest course is to cancel the remaining day of the event.”
The two dead have been identified as Jeffrey Russ, 23, of Rochester, NY, and Olivia Rotondo, 20, of Providence, RI. Ms. Rotondo was taken to Metropolitan Hospital and pronounced dead at 9:30pm. Mr. Russ went into respiratory arrest around 3:10am, and was pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital. Our deepest condolences are with the families and friends of these two individuals, and all others who have been affected by this tragedy.
Hydration certainly seemed to be an issue yesterday. As early as Alvaro’s set, festival producers came over the speakers on Main Stage West pleading to attendees to stay hydrated. Then, as the festival was just winding down late last night it seems that Electric Zoo ran out of water:
10:35 & @ElectricZooNY is out of water. Not very safe & neglectful for a festival to not have water. This makes me sad.
— Tommie Sunshine (@tommiesunshine) September 1, 2013
Here is the official statement from Electric Zoo:
Sources: NYC.gov
NYtimes.com
