One of the revellers who died at a music festival in NSW took up to nine pills of ecstasy with a high purity, a Sydney court has heard.
The NSW Coroners Court today began examining the deaths of five young people at music festivals over summer and was told two further cases may be added to an inquest.
Counsel Assisting the Inquiry, Peggy Dwyer, said the two young people died in similar circumstances but further details were not released.
Today's directions hearing also revealed different quantities of pills were involved in the deaths of the five festival goers already the subject of the inquest.
Ms Dwyer said in one case, the person who died took only one tablet, but in another, the person consumed between six and nine ecstasy pills, which were 77 per cent pure MDMA.
She said the pills were mixed with alcohol in one case, but not in others, and some people sought medical attention while others did not.
Acting NSW Coroner Teresa O'Sullivan began the hearing by describing the deaths as "tragic".
"The hot weather in Australia is set to continue … there are more music and dance festivals planned," she said.
"The deaths of these young people are at terrible loss for their loved ones and the community, we don't want to see any more death."
She also read out advice from the NSW Chief Health officer, Dr Kerry Chant, urging festival goers to seek medical help if they feel unwell after taking drugs.
Public 'extremely interested' in deaths
The five deaths to be examined so far happened between September 2018 and January this year, with those that died aged between 19 and 23 years old.
Diana Nguyen and Joseph Nguyen Nhu Binh Pham died after attending the Defqon.1 event in September, Callum Brosnan in December at the Knockout Games of Destiny, and Joshua Tam at the Lost Paradise festival the same month.
In January, Alexandra Ross-King died at the FOMO Festival at Parramatta Park.
The deaths have renewed debate about whether pill testing should be allowed at festivals in NSW.
Ms Dwyer told the hearing "it is clear that members of the public are extremely interested in why these young people have lost their lives".
The Assistant Coroner has the power to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future.
The NSW Police Commissioner and the Department of Health were represented at today's hearing.
It is expected festival organisers and medical experts will also give evidence.
There will be another directions hearing at the Coroner's Court at Lidcombe next month.
