Audio By Carbonatix
More news this afternoon about the 2011 Electric Daisy Carnival that took place this past weekend at Fair Park in Dallas: The Dallas Morning News and sister paper LA Weekly report that a 22-year-old named Kyle Raymond Haigis died late on Sunday morning after being struck by a tractor-trailer. Haigis, after purchasing and ingesting at the festival a drug that he and his friends believed to be ecstasy, ran into oncoming traffic on U.S. 75 near Sherman after the car taking him home from the festival had pulled over onto the side of the highway in the wake of an in-car struggle that forced the car into park and damaged its transmission.
This news comes four days after 19-year-old Texas A&M University sophomore Andrew James Graf of Argyle was pronounced dead at Baylor University Medical Center after having been transported there from festival grounds. That night, a total of 30 festival attendees were hospitalized due to drug-, alcohol- and heat-related concerns.
Earlier this afternoon, the Morales family of Garden City, Kansas, came forward to share the story of Jesse Morales, a 22-year-old who died of drug complications following last year’s inaugural Electric Daisy Carnival at Fair Park.
The news has not been taken lightly by the promoters of the event, Insomniac Events, who, in the wake of Graf’s initial death report, have suspended ticket sales for their upcoming event in Houston, Beyond Wonderland, until after this upcoming weekend’s three-day Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas is over. That festival starts on Friday.
Later this summer, Insomniac plans on releasing a film of festival performances from various Electric Daisy Carnival events. The film, called The Electric Daisy Carnival Experience, will be broadcast in theaters around the country on Sunday, August 14.
After the jump, read Insomniac’s extended press release detailing their precautions, preparations and “strict zero-tolerance policies” for this weekend’s Las Vegas-hosted event.
Insomniac
Works with Local and National Safety and Security Organizations
for15th
Annual Electric Daisy Carnival Las VegasReiterates
Strict Zero-Tolerance Policy and Expectation of Adult
Responsibility
Las
Vegas, Nevada –
Over the last several months, Insomniac has worked with numerous local and
national security and safety organizations to create a safe and secure
environment at this year’s 15th Annual Electric
Daisy Carnival
at Las Vegas Motor Speedway June 24-26, 2011.
“First
of all, we will continue our strong ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy at this year’s
event,” said Pasquale Rotella, CEO and founder of Insomniac. “Anyone in
possession of, or who attempts to purchase or sell illegal substances, will be
turned over to law enforcement.” Rotella continues, “From our very first
planning meetings we have worked closely with Las Vegas Metropolitan Police
Department, the Clark County Fire Department, University Medical Center, Medic
West, CSC, Staff Pro, the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and many others to develop a
comprehensive security and safety plan to help ensure the safety of our fans to
the utmost of our ability. We encourage all of our attendees to act like adults
and take care of themselves and their friends to make sure everyone has a fun
and safe time.”
“LVMPD
has spent extensive time and effort in preparation for the Electric Daisy
Carnival,” stated Lieutenant Jason Letkiewicz of the Las Vegas Metropolitan
Police Department. “We, in conjunction with other public safety agencies, have
developed and exercised a comprehensive plan that is designed to meet a variety
of challenges. LVMPD will be staffing the event with a large number of
officers, including units from the Mounted Patrol, Bicycle and Enduro officers,
undercover narcotics detectives, narcotics trained K-9 units, uniformed
officers, Homeland Security Bureau officers, and intelligence support from the
Southern Nevada Counter Terrorism Center.”
“Insomniac
has fulfilled their responsibility to financially support the entire cost of
public safety resources for the Electric Daisy Carnival,” added Lieutenant
Letkiewicz. “Taxpayers will not carry any financial burden for this
event.”
Among
other safety and security steps being taken for the three-day festival, which is
expected to draw more than 200,000 visitors:·
A
state-of-the-art identification screening process to ensure all attendees are 18
or over, along with a multi-stage search process to ensure only approved items
are allowed in the festival.·
Las
Vegas Metro Police officers will monitor the festival, along with undercover
narcotics officers and more than 1000 private security
personnel.·
Clark
County Fire Department and LVMS Medical Director Dr. Dale Carrisson, DO, MS,
FACEP, FACOEP, will oversee medical staff, which will be
on-site to assist with any health concerns including physicians, nurses, and
beds for treatment each day. The tents will be clearly
identifiable·
Festival-goers
are encouraged to utilize the EDC’s shuttle system for rides to and from the
event.
To
prepare attendees for the Las Vegas weather:
·
Insomniac
is regularly updating fans via the Electric Daisy Carnival Web site on the
importance and practice of staying hydrated before, during and after the
festival. There will be 96 water stations, able to
fill containers and water bottles in less than three
seconds.·
Five
cooling zones, a 140-by-300-foot misting tent, and artwork with water features
will be accessible throughout the grounds to control the temperature and offer
air-conditioned locations for all attendees.·
Hours
of the festival are 8 p.m. – sunrise
Insomniac
remains dedicated to its fans by collaborating with the premier safety and
medical organizations in the nation in order to create a successful event for
all. The organization encourages personal responsibility and looks forward to
providing three nights of music, art, and the full festival experience of
Electric Daisy Carnival.
###
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Insomniac announcements and news on Facebook and Twitter.
About Insomniac
EventsInsomniac produces
innovative concerts and music festivals enhanced by state-of-the-art lighting
design, large-scale art installations, interactive circus and theatrical
performances, and audience participation. Fan safety and the quality of our
fans’ experience are the company’s top priorities. Insomniac’s premier annual
event, Electric Daisy Carnival, is one of the biggest music festivals in the
United States. Insomniac has produced more than 250 music events for more than
2,000,000 concertgoers in California, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and
Puerto Rico. Founded by Pasquale Rotella, Insomniac has been based in Los
Angeles since it started in 1993.
