Police Appeal After 17-Year-Old Girl Dies at Kendal Calling
A police appeal has been launched after a 17-year-old girl died following a medical episode at Kendal Calling.
Emergency services were called to the festival at Lowther Deer Park near Penrith at 2.13am on Sunday, August 2.
Police officers, paramedics and the festival’s on-site medical team attended. CPR was administered, but the teenager was pronounced dead at the scene.
Her family have been informed and are receiving support from specialist officers.
What’s Known So Far
Cumbria Police has only described it as a “medical episode”. Officials have not said whether it involved drugs, alcohol, an existing health condition or another cause. The force has specifically asked people not to speculate, as this could affect the teenager’s family and friends while enquiries continue.
The confirmed sequence is:
- A group of women became concerned for the girl and alerted first responders.
- On-site security and medical teams attended immediately.
- Police and the North West Ambulance Service were called at 2.13am on Sunday, August 2.
- CPR and emergency treatment were provided.
- The 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the festival site.
- Police are seeking witnesses who were near the Calling Out tent and Big Wheel at around 2am.
You could strengthen the article with this section:
Has the Cause of Death Been Confirmed?
The cause of the teenager’s death has not yet been established publicly.
Cumbria Police has described the incident only as a “medical episode”. The force has not confirmed whether drugs, alcohol, an existing medical condition or any other factor was involved.
Police have asked people not to speculate about the circumstances, warning that rumours could have a significant impact on the girl’s family and friends.
Officers are now trying to understand what happened before she became unwell. They particularly want to speak to a group of women who became concerned for her welfare and alerted first responders.
Further information may be released after witness enquiries and any medical or coroner’s examination have been completed. At present, there is no indication of how long that process may take.
Police Appeal for Festival Witnesses
Cumbria Police is asking anyone who was near the Calling Out tent or the Big Wheel at around 2am to come forward.
Officers are particularly keen to speak to a group of women who became concerned for the girl’s welfare and directed emergency responders to her.
The group may have information that could help police understand what happened before emergency services arrived.
Enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death remain ongoing. Police have not confirmed the nature or cause of the medical episode.
Kendal Calling Issues Statement
Kendal Calling said its team was “deeply saddened” by the death of a festival attendee.
Organisers said the teenager received immediate attention from on-site security and medical teams after becoming unwell.
Paramedics and other medical staff then provided emergency treatment and did everything they could to help.
The festival extended its sympathies to the girl’s family, friends and loved ones. Organisers also confirmed that they were supporting the authorities and would continue to assist with the investigation.
How to Contact Police
Anyone who was in the relevant area or has information that may assist the investigation can contact Cumbria Police:
- Report information through the Cumbria Police website
- Call 101
- Quote incident number 26 of August 2, 2026
Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Festival Held at Lowther Deer Park
Kendal Calling is a four-day music and arts festival held annually at Lowther Deer Park, between Penrith and Hackthorpe.
More than 40,000 people were expected to attend the 2026 event. This year’s line-up included Biffy Clyro, Wolf Alice, Two Door Cinema Club and The Kooks.
Police enquiries remain at an early stage. No further details about the teenager have been released.
