Fatal outcome: NSW Police have confirmed that a 51-year-old man died at the Strawberry Fields Festival near Tocumwal at the weekend.
Photo by
Rodney Braithwaite
NSW Police Force say a 51-year-old male was found dead at the Strawberry Fields festival near Tocumwal on Sunday, November 19.
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Emergency services were called to the festival on Tuppal Rd on Sunday, November 19 at 10.50am.
Murray River Police District officers located the body of the man and established a crime scene.
It was a tragic end to what organisers described as the largest ever edition of the festival, which was held on the banks of the Murray River from November 17 to 19.
Festival-goers flocked to Tocumwal on the Victorian-NSW border for the 14th Strawberry Fields festival, described as a weekend of music, workshops and wellness.
More than 12,000 people attended to see more than 85 artists perform, including Australia’s Barkaa and Pretty Girl, along with international Mercury Music Award-winners Ezra Collective.
Sombre end: Australian artist Barkaa was among more than 85 artists to entertain the Strawberry Fields festival crowd before the event ended on a tragic note after the death of a festival-goer.
It is not the first time a death has been recorded at Strawberry Fields. A 24-year-old Shepparton man died at the festival in 2019.
Festival organisers refused to comment on the latest fatality, saying they were unable to comment because a police investigation was under way.
News of the 51-year-old man’s death meant the festival ended on a tragic note after organisers had earlier been celebrating its growth and success.
“To grow from a festival of 1000 attendees in 2009 to 12,000 patrons in 2023, bringing over $3 million into the local economy each year, is something we are incredibly proud of,” festival director Tara Benney said.
“We are so grateful to the small army of hard-working emergency services, crew and volunteers who help the event run smoothly and keep patrons safe and supported.”
In a media release distributed before news of the death had emerged, organisers said the event had exceeded expectations and felt like a triumphant return after the COVID-19 pandemic and last year’s floods saw the festival cancelled.
“A festival of this size is the same as a regional town — we always have learnings and a desire to evolve in a way that positively impacts our patrons, crew and the broader local community,” Ms Benney said.
Large crowd: Organisers say the 14th edition of the Strawberry Fields festival attracted 12,000 patrons to the event on the Murray River.
Ms Benney said festival organisers and police had enjoyed a co-operative relationship in their efforts to ensure a safe weekend.
“NSW police maintained a presence on-site throughout the weekend and worked collaboratively with our team,” she said.
Investigations into the man’s death are ongoing and a report will be prepared for the coroner, but police say the death isn’t believed to be suspicious.
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