Police probing the death of a 19-year-old at Creamfields today confirmed a second teenager is fighting for his life.
Tributes poured in after the death of the man named on social media as Josh Gibson.
The teenager was spotted looking unwell by security staff who took him to a medical tent at the dance music festival in Daresbury, near Warrington.
Josh, who is understood to have attended Warrington Collegiate, was taken to Warrington District General Hospital in the early hours of Saturday, August 24.
But despite the best efforts of medical staff, the 19-year-old sadly died in hospital.
Today Cheshire Police confirmed a second teenager, an 18-year-old man "also fell ill at the annual festival over the bank holiday weekend".
A spokesman said the teenager from Blackpool was in a "critical condition in hospital".
The men were both assessed by a doctor at the casualty facility at Creamfields before being taken to hospital via ambulance.
Today Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Matt Welsted, who led the policing operation for Creamfields, pledged to work with festival organisers "to examine the circumstances leading up to "these tragic events".
A post mortem examination has yet to take place for Mr Gibson - who police have not formally named.
Police today said they have completed their initial investigation into the 19-year-old’s death.
Police said a file will be prepared for the coroner and "we are continuing to support their work to establish the cause of death.”
Tragic news
ACC Welsted said: "Around 70,000 people go to the dance music festival every year to have a good time.
“Sadly, one young man who attended this year’s Creamfields has lost his life and another who went to the event is in a critical condition in hospital.
“Everyone at Cheshire Constabulary – many of whom worked in and around the Daresbury site over the bank holiday weekend to support the event management company running the private event and its security team – are deeply saddened by this tragic news.
“Our thoughts are with the two young men’s families at this extremely difficult time.”
He added: "With one man having died and another being in a critical condition in hospital, officers will work with the festival organisers in the coming weeks and months to examine the circumstances leading up to these tragic events to see what, if anything, can be done to help make future festivals safer and more enjoyable for all."
“A lot of work went into planning the police support operation for Creamfields 2019, in collaboration with the event organisers and their security team, the two local authorities, other partner agencies and local residents.
“An important part of this is ensuring that we had the right officers and staff with the right skills working in and around the Creamfields site during the festival."
Arrests
He also confirmed 37 people were arrested mainly for alleged drugs offences
ACC Welsted added: “The majority of festivalgoers enjoyed the weekend safely and within the law.
“However, 37 people were arrested at Creamfields, while a further 59 people are being investigated regarding offences allegedly committed at the festival.”
Other offences at Creamfields being investigated include assaults, possession of weapons, fraud, driving offences, money laundering, theft, the use of counterfeit money and being drunk and disorderly.
Creamfields officials have said they are "deeply saddened" at news of Josh's death and "continue to work closely with the authorities."
