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“I’m with the DJ”, identified as the event’s host promoter on the Spookland Facebook page, said in a statement, “They had somehow behaved well enough to make it onto the buses, but upon arrival, were found to be seriously unwell.”

“Event staff immediately summoned on-site paramedics in order that the students be safe and properly taken care of,” the promoter messaged to the Citizen.

None of the cases was life-threatening and it was unknown if any victims were still in hospital late Sunday.

“There were indeed some challenges and delays to having attendees enter the venue (which were due) to thorough screening at the door by qualified security personnel to ensure nothing inappropriate was brought into the venue,” the promoter said. “We regret any perception and misinformation that we in any way tolerated contravention of the event rules or of our zero tolerance policy on underage drinking and no drugs or paraphernalia.”

Spookland drew people from across the capital region, including many from several Ottawa schools.

Police say they shut down the party hours early because more than 1,000 people were on the site.

The promoter had earlier denied reports stating the event was overcapacity.

Police said things were under control by about 1:30 a.m. as buses and parents picked up partygoers. Some parents had received calls from children “who weren’t expecting this type of party,” police said.

It was the third annual Spookland Halloween party. While the party was supposedly open for 16-year-olds and older, drinking was limited to those over the age of 18. Alcohol was apparently sold at the site.

The promoter said the company would not make any further statements on the matter.

MRC des Collines police said they would not be release further information before Monday but were asking anyone with information about the event, as well as the sexual allegations, to contact investigators.

gdimmock@ottawacitizen.com

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eloop@ottawacitizen.com

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