Concertgoers at the Boardmasters music festival in Newquay were injured in a crowd surge, with a woman describing the experience as “terrifying” and being caught in a “massive crowd surge.” Festival organisers cancelled a planned set by DJ Sammy Virji, and police confirmed that a small number of attendees were injured but none were considered serious. An attendee recounted being crushed against barriers and warning security guards of the brewing problem, with no action taken. Boardmasters stated that safety is their top priority, and while Sammy Virji’s set was cancelled and the Point stage closed, all other performances continued as planned.
Festival-goers injured in ‘terrifying’ crowd surge at Boardmasters in Newquay | UK news
Concertgoers were injured in a crowd surge at Boardmasters music festival in Newquay on Friday, according to Devon and Cornwall police, with a woman describing the “terrifying” experience of being caught in a “massive crowd surge”.
Festival organisers said a planned set by DJ and producer Sammy Virji was cancelled, while police said in a statement: “We have been notified following a crowd surge at Boardmasters music festival in Newquay on Friday 9 August which left a small number of attendees injured.
“The injured parties are currently being treated on-site by medical staff or have been taken to hospital to be checked over. None of the injuries are considered serious. This is an isolated incident and the festival continues.”
The attendee who spoke to PA Media said: “My daughter and I got crushed against the barriers so I heaved her up and over a barrier and then pulled myself out. I warned the security guards again that there was a big problem brewing. Nothing seemed to be done … There was no security stopping people.”
Boardmasters said: “We can confirm that Sammy Virji’s set was cancelled and that the Point stage was closed to allow on-site teams to respond to an incident in the audience.
“No serious injuries have been reported and the pit and medical teams immediately assisted those involved. Safety is our number one priority and we thank Sammy and our audience for their understanding. All other stages have been unaffected and performances continue as planned.”
Read the full story on www.theguardian.com
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/article/2024/aug/10/festival-goers-injured-in-terrifying-crowd-surge-at-boardmasters-in-newquay