The BONNAROO MUSIC + ARTS FESTIVAL has suffered a tragedy - a 32-year-old man was found dead on the Manchester, Tennessee site of the festival on Saturday (11JUN05).

As the organisers of the event celebrate a fourth year of success - with 80,000 people attending the weekend event - news of a casualty has been reported.

Authorities are awaiting the autopsy results of an unnamed Alabama man before releasing details of his death, but witnesses said he seemed to suffer from a medical disorder called sleep apnea.

A nurse who attempted to revive the dead man at the festival claims witnesses saw the 118 kilogram (260 pound) victim struggling for breath before he died.

Medics suggest the man suffered a heart attack brought on by sleep apnea - a common cause of death for overweight people.

No other deaths have been reported at this year's (05) festival. Two festival goers died last year (04) of drug overdoses.

13/06/2005 21:31