MSP: Rumors of 2nd EF death, hammock incident untrue

July 1, 2014

EFBy Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — As rumors swirl on social media sites of a second death that occurred at the Electric Forest Festival in Rothbury last weekend, Lt. Jeff White of the Hart post of the Michigan State Police said this morning that is not true.

MSP reported yesterday that 20-year-old Brian Alan Brockette of Caledonia died Sunday night during the festival. “That was the only death,” White said. “A few people went to the hospital, but no one was critical or serious.”

The autopsy on Brockette was performed yesterday at Blodgett Hospital in Grand Rapids, White said, and it will take four to six weeks until toxicology reports are available.

White also said the story about the throat slitting incident caused by a metal hammock wire is untrue. “It was a self-mutilator,” he said. “Some guy cut his arms and legs with a piece of glass — he bloodied himself up. He didn’t ever come to law enforcement.”

However, according to www.youredm.com, “A separate unfortunate event took place at Electric Forest this year, where an attendee was reported to have suffered grave injuries to his neck, resulting in his hospitalization. We are glad to announce that the attendee is now safe and recovering at the hospital.

According to comments by www.youredm.com readers, the gruesome injury was caused by a metal part to a hammock. “This DID NOT happen at any of the performances, it occurred near the camp site areas, and was just an awful accident. Someone hung up their hammock with metal, and someone was running through and slit his throat on the metal. (He) didn’t die, but it was a medical emergency.”

The lieutenant is hoping to have a complete report as early as tomorrow with the number of arrests and medical emergencies that occurred during the four-day festival.

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