Overdoses at festivals

Sydney: Three revellers are fighting for life and eight others remain in hospital after a series of suspected drug overdoses at music festivals in Victoria and NSW at the weekend.

While three men aged in their 20s are in a critical condition after apparent overdoses at the Rainbow Serpent Festival near Ballarat in Victoria, NSW health officials believe $500,000 worth of increased medical support saved lives at three Sydney events.

A 20yearold man was taken off life support in Sydney yesterday, after 25 people — aged between 16 and 67 — left the Hardcore Till I Die, Rolling Loud and Electric Gardens events on Saturday and Sunday in ambulances.

NSW Health said five people were still in hospital yesterday and drugs were probably a factor in 15 of the cases. — AAP