‘Light workload’ for St John at Bay Dreams festival

Festival goers party at this year's 'Bay Dreams' in Queenstown. PHOTO: RHYVA VAN ONSELEN
Festival goers party at this year's 'Bay Dreams' in Queenstown. PHOTO: RHYVA VAN ONSELEN
The behaviour of people attending a Queenstown music festival has been praised, despite one person being transported to hospital by helicopter.

The Bay Dreams festival, held in Frankton last Friday, attracted about 8000 people.

The one-day event featured more than 50 local and international artists.

Hato Hone St John event health services national operations manager Natalie Lang said they had a "light workload" during the festival.

About 100 patients required on-site assessment and treatment for ailments typical of an event of this nature, including blisters and alcohol and drug intoxication, she said. 

The spokeswoman confirmed one patient had been transported to Dunedin Hospital by helicopter.

Festival event director Toby Burrows said he was pleased with the event as a whole and the behaviour of festival-goers.

"There is obviously always the odd troublemaker at any large-scale event, but overall it was a really good vibe."

Mr Burrows said he was not aware of any higher-than-usual levels of intoxication or drug use at the festival this year.

After debriefing with Hato Hone St John, nothing unusual had been reported, he said.

Mr Burrows said professional security companies and other groups were employed to deal with drug management.

Staff monitored intoxication at the gate and checked people before they entered the festival.

Even mildly intoxicated people were spoken to and assessed before they could enter, and a hydration zone was on site for assessment and treatment.

Teams were roaming the event to identify intoxicated people and festival-goers could not queue at the bar if they were intoxicated.

Hato Hone St John reported the main ailments treated were blisters and sunstroke, Mr Burrows said.

Other groups would wander the festival handing out water and sunblock.

Mr Burrows said one patient was transported to Dunedin Hospital by helicopter, and they were following this up with St John.

This was not uncommon as there were lots of different medical conditions people had, but it was "always concerning" he said.

tim.scott@odt.co.nz , PIJF cadet reporter

 

 

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