Reveler Drowns At Vivid Live Opening

The May 23 opening night of Vivid festival in Sydney was marred by the accidental drowning of a reveler.

Brendan Hicks, 34, slipped on a wooden pier and fell into Sydney Harbour at about 11 p.m. Police said there was no evidence of skylarking but investigated if he had been pushed or tripped.

Vivid, a 16-day “festival of lights, music and ideas,” with sets including Pet Shop BoysLauryn Hill and the Pixies, and the flamboyant lighting of the  sails and Harbour Bridge.

Vivid organisers said they were “shocked and saddened … by this tragic incident and express our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased man.” The accident happened outside Home nightclub, whose security team joined emergency services to find the body.