Number of drunk women astonishes festival paramedics

Women enjoyed their booze too much at Rhythm and Vines. Photo / Martin Sykes

The number of women turning up grossly drunk and wanting medical treatment during the Rhythm and Vines festival in Gisborne has shocked St John Ambulance workers.

Shane Clapperton - who led more than 30 paramedics working at the festival - said that in the past, the number of men and women visiting the "detox tent" had generally been about even.

But that ratio had changed to about 90-10 in favour of women at the latest concert.

"Whether it's that they're just drinking to excess more or whatever, it's just a trend that we noticed and it was significant."

One woman - found unconscious by St John workers - could not remember where she was staying, and had to go off for another sleep before her memory returned.

"They [drunk women] have pretty much just got to a point where they can no longer look after themselves," Mr Clapperton said.

"A lot of times their friends are concerned about them, so have brought them ... to make sure they're going to be okay and to provide a place where they can have a lie-down."

Mr Clapperton said staff dealt with 300 patients over New Year's Eve.

During the three days of the festival, which finished early yesterday, St John workers sent about 25 people to hospital for further treatment, including 10 on New Year's Eve.

These included injured people and others who had become unwell after consuming alcohol and Ecstasy, with side-effects including vomiting and diarrhoea.

About five people suffered broken legs and another two suffered broken arms.

Most injuries were from people falling over, and several falls resulted in cuts serious enough to warrant stitches.

Just five people were arrested, all on New Year's Eve and mainly for minor disorder. However, one man was charged with theft after allegedly being caught stealing electrical equipment from one of the stage areas.