A 17-year-old girl died at the Kendal Calling music festival in Cumbria in the early hours of Sunday morning after suffering a medical episode, police have confirmed.
Cumbria Police said the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene at around 02:15 BST. Officers are now investigating the circumstances of her death and have asked the public not to speculate, saying that doing so could have a "significant impact" on the family and friends involved. The force added: "We would ask that the investigation be allowed to take its course."
According to BBC News, police said they are particularly interested in speaking with witnesses who were in the area of the Calling Out tent and the Big Wheel around the time of the girl's death. A police spokesperson said officers are "particularly keen to speak with a group of women who alerted first responders to the girl after becoming concerned for her welfare." The girl's family has been informed and is being supported by specialist officers.
A spokesperson for the Kendal Calling festival said the team responded immediately when the teenager became unwell. "As soon as the individual became unwell, they were immediately attended to by our on-site security and medical teams," the spokesperson said. "Paramedics and medical personnel provided emergency care at the scene and did everything they could to help." The festival team described itself as "deeply saddened" by the death and extended "deepest sympathy" to the teenager's loved ones.
Kendal Calling is in its 21st year. The festival has grown from an event with a capacity of 900 people to one that drew around 40,000 attendees last year. It takes place at Lowther Deer Park near Penrith, across 13 stages. This year's headliners include Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, Two Door Cinema Club and The Kooks.
The investigation is ongoing.
