17-year-old girl in danger after drug-related incident at Horst Festival: « Very moment, but luckily it worked out » (Vilvoorde)
The eleventh edition of the festival runs until 2 hours until Saturday night. – © Horst Arts & Music Festival
At Horst Arts & Music Festival in Vilvoorde was a 17-year-old girl on Saturday evening, who worked as a volunteer at the festival campsite, suddenly become unwell after an alcohol and drug intoxication. She was even in danger and was rushed to the hospital. According to the organization, which emphasizes that there are hardly any significant drug -related incidents, she is now better off and was allowed to leave the hospital.
The incident happened around midnight when the second day of the festival was still in full swing. A girl suddenly became unwell and it was immediately clear that something serious was going on. First aid teams and a doctor immediately intervened. A mosquito and ambulance arrived on the spot, after which the girl was hurried to the AZ Jan Portaels.
Experimentation
« It was a fierce moment for the entire team and of course a damper on the evening, » responds organizer Jochem Daelman. « But we are happy that it all ended well and our emergency procedures have worked well. The girl was not part of the regular audience. She is a member of a scouts group that were engaged to work at the campsite for part of the day. She can enjoy the festival for free for the rest of the time. »
There was a danger of life, Daelman confirms. « Fortunately, she didn’t have to be resuscitated, but her condition was very serious at the time. We are especially relieved that she has since been stable and she was already allowed to leave the hospital. The first information shows that it was an experiment with alcohol and drugs and that was incorrectly turned out. I want to emphasize that we have experienced a limited number of drugs.
Bustle at first aid
The organization does not leave it at that. « Today we are still contacting the girl and her friends, » says Daelman. « Not only to inform, but also to offer emotional support. Something like that leaves traces with a group of young people who help with good intentions. »
Apart from this serious incident, the festival went without major problems. « On Friday it was busy on the first aid post with just over 200 interventions, » says Daelman. « That usually involved light injuries such as blisters, scrapes or allergies. Drug -related interventions have been relatively limited, just like previous editions, we speak of at most 15 to 20%. And certainly not as serious as that one case. »
Free drinking water and sun cream
The organization emphasizes its lasting commitment to prevention. « Even with the warm temperatures of the past days, there have been no significant problems. We provide free drinking water and sun cream, there are clear first aid points and info-costs and we are committed to raising awareness. That is bearing fruit. »
The last festival evening is now coming. « We want to finish the edition festively but safely, » concludes Daelman. « Horst grows year after year, but we continue to focus on quality, human proximity and care for our employees and visitors. »
Horst Festival, which was allowed to welcome 13,000 visitors for three days, runs until 2 hours tonight.
