A woman died mysteriously on the first day of the Burning Man festival, just hours after thousands of people had crowded into the desert camp.
She was found unconscious at 11.29am on Sunday and “life-saving measures were immediately attempted but were unsuccessful,” festival organisers said.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office arrived and confirmed the woman’s death and began investigating “until the cause and manner can be determined.”
A woman died mysteriously on the first day of the Burning Man festival, just hours after thousands of people had crowded into the desert camp.
“The name of the participant is being withheld at this time until the next of kin of the deceased can be notified,” said Pershing County Sheriff Jerry Allen.
‘Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased.
“This is the first reported death on the beach this year and unfortunately it happened on the first day.”
It is not yet known how the woman died or the circumstances surrounding her death.
Burning Man organizers said counseling services were available at the festival for anyone who needed them.
Festival-goers check in for buses heading to Burning Man at Civic Center Plaza on Sunday
“The safety and well-being of our staff and the community is paramount. We are fully cooperating with local authorities as they investigate this incident,” he said.
The Pershing County Sheriff’s Office investigates all deaths that occur within its jurisdiction.
‘Out of respect for the grieving family’s privacy, we will not be providing further details at this time.’
Last year, festival-goer Leon Reece, 32, of Truckee, California, died of a suspected drug overdose.