Epidemic syncope in jazz bandslogistic aspects of an investigation

Summary At a fete at Hollinwell, in the District of Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, on Sunday, 13 July 1980, children in the marching bands section were taken ill. Persons attending a gymkhana in the same field at the same time were unaffected. The first children collapsed at 10.30 a.m., and new cases occurred over the next 21/2 hours. Members of the St John Ambulance and Police gave immediate assistance but were overwhelmed by numbers and eventually 414 persons were taken to 4 hospitals, 67 by ambulance and the rest by coach or private vehicle. The episode was dramatic and alarming to all those present. No organic cause was found to account for the incident. During the following week a few new or return cases attended hospital but all patients were discharged after a few hours or at the most in a day or two. The main features of the incident, its investigation and the considerable public interest aroused by it, are described.