Drugs were found at Dreamland gig before teen died
More than 80 people were found with drugs at an amusement park event where a teenager was believed to have overdosed, an inquest heard.Emily Stokes, who was 17, died in hospital in June after attending a gig at Dreamland in Margate, Kent. She was thought to have taken MDMA.Shane Guy, the operations director at Dreamland, said the 82 drug seizures were "the sort of numbers we expect to find" at an event of that size and staff were not overwhelmed at any point.A full risk assessment had been carried out ahead of the gig, which was considered to be high risk, Mr Guy said.
The operations director said a review of CCTV after the event showed Emily entering the site at about 13:30 BST on 29 June. She had been searched and no drugs were found on her. Mr Guy said pictures showed Emily enjoying herself, and she was later seen coming out of a toilet and putting something into her mouth and drinking water. She was subsequently found slumped on the ground and was given medical treatment before being transferred to hospital, the Maidstone inquest heard.
A major incident was declared following Emily's death, but the event, attended by about 7,000 people, was allowed to continue. Mr Guy said: "If you continued the event, the risk was far less than if you turf them out. "You don't want 7,000 unhappy people on the streets of Margate."The inquest also heard from Kay Mockford, Emily's former social worker at Waltham Forest Council, which was caring for the teenager.
'Remarkable young lady'
She said she had told Emily she could not attend the event because she did not want her to stay the night with a friend. Emily had previous issues with drinking too much and smoking cannabis, the inquest heard.Ms Mockford said she had a good relationship with Emily, who she described as a "very funny", "very clever" and "very quirky young lady"."She had a great friendship group who loved her. She just loved life. She was a remarkable young lady and is sorely missed," Ms Mockford added.
The inquest in Maidstone continues.
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