Twenty-two teenagers were hospitalised after taking drugs during a drum ‘n’ bass festival at which a 17-year-old girl collapsed and later died, it has emerged.

The youngsters - all aged under 18 - needed treatment after falling ill at the Worried About Henry event at Dreamland in Margate, with one still in hospital in a medically induced coma.

Tragically, Emily Stokes – described as “the kindest person you could ever meet” – could not be saved and died from a suspected MDMA overdose.

The scale of the incident has been revealed in documents setting out temporary licensing measures imposed on the Margate theme park.

These include the cancellation of all drum ‘n’ bass gigs, and under-18s having to be accompanied to events by someone aged 25 or older.

Thanet District Council’s (TDC) licensing sub-committee has agreed to introduce the interim conditions following a request by Kent Police for a full review of Dreamland’s licence.

About 6,300 tickets were sold in advance of the Worried About Henry festival, while a further 700 were bought on the door before the event began at 1pm.

In Kent Police’s application for a licence review, a superintendent wrote: “In the early afternoon Kent Police became aware of several ejections from the venue through intoxication (possibly drug-related) and that three persons [had] been taken to hospital from the venue believed to be suffering the ill effects of a drugs overdose.”

The report states that at 5pm a man found with suspected illegal drugs was arrested on suspicion of intent to supply.

At just before 6pm officers sent to Dreamland called an ambulance after coming across a 17-year-old boy outside the theme park who was “unwell and suffering with the side effects of drug use”.

The superintendent wrote: “Shortly after this, a call was made to Kent Police by NHS staff to advise that a 17-year-old female, who was one of the three transported to hospital earlier from the event, had now been declared deceased following a suspected MDMA overdose.”

The death sparked emergency talks about whether to pull the plug on the event and cordon the area off as a crime scene.

But police say they allowed the gig to continue to avoid a “large-scale public order incident” and to help identify and support any further casualties.

“This was a challenging decision but allowed mitigating factors to be implemented to minimise the risk towards already vulnerable children at the event,” they wrote.

A major incident was declared at about 7pm, at which point police were aware of 11 people who had been hospitalised due to drug use - all of them under the age of 18, with the youngest being 15.

In its review application, police say they later learned almost twice as many youngsters had been taken to hospital.

“Kent Police have been informed of an additional 21 patients who were admitted to hospital suffering with similar symptoms relating to a drugs overdose, all of whom had also been at the Dreamland event,” they said.

“All except one person have been discharged, with the remaining victim (at the time of writing) remaining in hospital in a medically induced coma.”

Following the incident, police raised concerns with Dreamland about an upcoming garage event with DJ EZ and Example on July 27, which bosses agreed to cancel.

Five interim measures have since been imposed by TDC ahead of a full review of the theme park’s licence.

All drum ‘n’ bass events, and those deemed to be “a higher risk association with class A and B drug use by those under 18 years of age”, have been cancelled, with all promotion and ticket sales removed.

Dreamland bosses have also been ordered to increase the ratio of security staff for “higher risk events” such as those featuring trance, garage and grime.

Zero-tolerance signs must be displayed regarding drug use and possession throughout the venue, and under-18s must be accompanied by an adult over 25.

But while calling for the review, Kent Police says it does not want to see Dreamland’s licence revoked.

The superintendent writes: “Kent Police believe that in general the premises has been well run and well suited to what we would deem to be lower risk events.

“The partnership between the venue and Kent Police has been well developed over the years and have always worked well to achieve joint aims.

“The management of events specifically targeted at over 16s and particular music genre’s are historically faced with challenges.

“The venue has had issues with similar previous events in 23/24, where there were some wider issues raised with crime and disorder in the local area which in turn put pressure on strategic partners and in turn damaged public confidence and have undermined all licensing objectives.”

The superintendent concludes: “The events on June 29 are tragic and I wish for them never to be repeated.

“The venue and strategic partners are all really well engaged in ensuring all efforts are made to minimise this risk in the future.

“I am of the opinion that this and other events have breached the licensing objectives in a number of forms and therefore it is right and proper a review is completed of the venue’s licence in order to achieve the above and ensure public confidence in all agencies moving forward.”

The report states that further arrests were made at the event and that a police investigation is ongoing.

A police spokesman confirmed officers patrolling Margate seafront on the afternoon of June 29 were made aware of drug dealing concerns in the area.

“During the afternoon, evening and the following morning, seven people were arrested on suspicion of drug supply offences in separate instances,” he said.

“Five of those arrested were later released on bail pending further enquiries. Two were released without charge.”

He also says inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the death and a report is being made for the coroner.

Dreamland has been approached for comment.

comment.