Police investigate 'unexplained' death at V Festival

Police are investigating the “unexplained” death of a 20-year-old man at this year's V Festival.

The man was pronounced dead after being found in a tent in an unresponsive state at about 1am today at the music event at Weston Park, Staffordshire.

Police said the immediate area had been sealed off for forensic examination, and detailed statements are being taken from his friends.

The immediate family of the man, who was from Shropshire, have been informed of the tragedy, but police will not release his name until other relatives have been informed and formal identification has taken place.

A police spokesman said: “At this stage the death is being treated as unexplained and police are keen to speak to anyone else at the V Festival who may have information or may have seen the male during the evening.”

Chief Inspector Carl Ratcliffe, who was in command of the Staffordshire Police operation at the site overnight, said: “We are very saddened by the tragic death of this young man and we are working to establish the full facts and build a picture of his actions in the few hours before his death.

“We will be preparing a report for Her Majesty's coroner who has already been informed about this incident and we are working to support those affected by this incident.”

A spokesman for V Festival added: “We are all very saddened by this tragic incident, and we want to extend our deepest sympathies to the family of this young man.

“Our team worked throughout the night to support those affected at the festival site and we want to thank everyone for their cooperation and support during the incident.”

PA