A Burning Man festivalgoer died while being transported to a hospital in Reno, Nevada, according to the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office, marking the third reported fatality during the 40-year milestone gathering. The individual was en route from Black Rock City—located roughly 120 miles north—when they died in Washoe County jurisdiction, Pershing County Sheriff and Coroner Jerry Allen stated Monday.
Festival Fatality Toll Rises to Three
The latest transit death follows two separate fatalities discovered on the festival campgrounds last week, bringing this year’s total above historical averages. According to Sheriff Allen, the festival typically averages one death per year. The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the transit death.
Prior to the transit incident, festival organizers confirmed the death of 60-year-old Craigh Mann. Campmates found Mann dead Saturday afternoon inside the trailer he shared with his partner in Black Rock City, Allen said. A preliminary investigation by local deputies found no signs of foul play. The annual nine-day arts and music event officially ran from August 30 through Monday, drawing a population of approximately 70,000 participants to the Nevada desert.
Medical Emergencies on the Playa
The first reported death of the event occurred Thursday when a man in his mid-50s experienced a medical emergency. Identified by authorities as Sampson Tshombe, the man was found on a festival street, according to details released by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency personnel performed CPR on Tshombe for several minutes before transporting him to Rampart, the festival’s temporary onsite medical center.
Medical staff administered immediate lifesaving measures at the facility, but a certified doctor pronounced Tshombe dead, festival organizers stated. Officials ruled out foul play in Tshombe’s death, mirroring the initial findings in Mann’s case. The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office will handle autopsies and toxicology screenings for both individuals, with final results anticipated in six to eight weeks, according to Sheriff Allen.
Did you know? Black Rock City operates as a temporary metropolis built entirely by participants in the Black Rock Desert, sitting roughly 120 miles away from major medical infrastructure in Reno. Because of this isolated environment, organizers maintain an onsite emergency care center to stabilize patients before long-distance transit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people died at this year’s Burning Man?
Officials confirmed three deaths associated with the event: two individuals within the festival grounds and a third person who died while being transported to a hospital in Reno, according to the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office.
What caused the deaths of the festivalgoers?
Specific causes of death remain pending. The Washoe County Medical Examiner’s Office is conducting autopsies and toxicology screenings for the deceased participants, with results expected to take six to eight weeks, Sheriff Allen stated.
Was foul play suspected in any of the incidents?
No. Preliminary investigations by the Pershing County Sheriff’s Office indicated no signs of foul play in either the death of Sampson Tshombe or Craigh Mann.
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