LAS VEGAS — Local officials said Nicholas Austin Tom, 24, of San Francisco, died at the Electric Daisy Carnival dance music festival at about 3:25 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, on the second night of the three-night event. The cause of death remains unknown.
An estimated 135,000 attended the multi-stage event, held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. There were a total of 408 calls for medical attention by festival-goers that night. Seven of these required transport to a hospital; others were reported as minor.
Temperatures in Las Vegas peaked at a record-tying 113 degrees F. on June 20 and never dropped below 87 degrees F. during the overnight hours before reaching 109 degrees the next day, but it remains unclear if the hot weather played a part in the attendee’s death. An investigation is under way.
Festival organizer Insomniac once again played an active role encouraging revelers to stay hydrated, offering staffed water stations for free water bottle refills.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the man who passed away,” Insomniac said, in a statement. “The health and safety of our fans is Insomniac’s first priority, and we take every measure to create a safe environment.”
Without evidence of any risk factors that would justify a festival shutdown, the event’s third night was staged as planned.
“While the cause of this tragedy will take some time to determine, we ask that you keep his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers,” Insomniac’s statement, released June 21, continued. “Tonight and every night, we ask all of our fans to take care of themselves and one another.”
Three deaths were linked with the 2014 EDC event in Las Vegas – two who had attended died off-site, and one died in the festival’s parking lot.
