Florida music festival turns deadly

TAMPA, Fla. -- Authorities say two people are dead and 57 others were hospitalized after attending a weekend music festival here.

The Sunset Music Festival was held at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday and Sunday.

Tampa police reported in a news release that a 22-year-old Melbourne man and a 21-year-old Kissimmee woman were hospitalized Saturday. The man died Sunday, and the woman died Monday. The medical examiner's office wasn't immediately reporting causes of death.

Police didn't say why the 57 other people were hospitalized.

Police also reported 25 felony arrests, eight misdemeanor arrests and 16 marijuana civil citations at the festival.

City officials told CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP-TV the city needs to take a hard look at the festival known to attract drugs.

Officers say they arrested an 18-year-old who had a half-pound of "Mollies." He's accused of planning to distribute the synthetic drug.

"It's obviously pretty dangerous," says Dr. Alfred Aleguas at the Regional Poison Center in Tampa. He says mixing an unknown drug from a stranger, and hot temperatures and dehydration can be a deadly combination.

"Very increased body temperature - and we're not talking about 101, we're talking about 105, 106 degrees -- and your brain just does not tolerate that very well. Seizures, high blood pressure, arrhythmias," says Aleguas.

Tampa Fire Rescue says they had more than three dozen EMT/paramedics on the grounds hired by the festival, along with ambulance transports, first aid and water stations.

Councilwoman Lisa Montelione tells WTSP she wonders if efforts like drug dogs and undercover detectives are enough, and she plans to call for a review of this now deadly annual event.

"They have to be really aware of the problem and provide as much support. You can't stop what people do, you can stop the environment," says Collins.

St. Pete Fire Rescue is currently planning for the upcoming Warped Tour in July. Last year, they treated around 250 people for issues ranging from drugs and alcohol to heat exhaustion.

Capt. Steven Santana says education and prevention are important. Paramedics will work with the Medical Reserve Corps at the festival. They'll again have water stations, cooling tents, and staff on special response vehicles.

They also hope to learn from what happened at the Sunset Music Festival.