Woman dies on first day of Burning Man after doomed festival gets off to a disastrous start
A woman has mysteriously died on the first day of the Burning Man festival, just hours after thousands of people gathered at the desert camp.
She was found unconscious at 11:29 a.m. on Sunday and “immediate attempts were made to save lives, but to no avail,” festival organizers said.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office arrived and confirmed the woman’s death, and began an investigation “until the cause and cause could be determined.”
A woman has mysteriously died on the first day of the Burning Man festival, just hours after thousands of people gathered at the desert camp
“The name of the participant is being withheld at this time until the next of kin of the deceased has been notified,” said Jerry Allen of the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.
‘Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the deceased.
“This is the first death reported on the playa this year, and unfortunately it happens on day one.”
It is not yet known how the woman died and under what circumstances.
Burning Man organizers said counseling services were available at the festival for anyone who needed them.
Festival-goers check in for buses to Burning Man at Civic Center Plaza on Sunday
“The safety and well-being of our staff and the community is paramount. We are cooperating fully with local authorities as they investigate this incident,” the report said.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office investigates all deaths that occur within its jurisdiction.
“Out of respect for the privacy of the grieving family, we will not be providing any further details at this time.”
Last year, festival-goer Leon Reece, 32, of Truckee, California, died of an apparent drug overdose.