Boardmasters crowd surge leaves festival-goers injured

A crowd surge at a music competition has left a “small number” of individuals injured with some requiring hospital remedy, police stated.

The incident occurred on Friday in Newquay on the Boardmasters music competition.

One girl, who described the incident as “terrifying”, stated she and her daughter had been crushed in opposition to the boundaries in the course of the crush. Another mum or dad stated their “distressed” son had left the competition early.

Devon and Cornwall Police stated not one of the accidents had been thought of to be critical.

The girl who was crushed in opposition to the barrier stated she “heaved” her daughter out of the crush after which “pulled myself out”.

Reunited along with her husband and youthful daughter outdoors, the household ultimately determined to go away the competition altogether, she informed the PA information company.

“My daughters were terrified,” she added.

Another mum or dad informed Daily News Radio Cornwall their son, aged 19, left the competition early following the crush.

James Thompson stated his son rang him at about 22:30 BST on Friday and stated individuals had been “visibly distressed” within the surge, including some individuals had suffered “what seemed like broken legs”.

Mr Thompson stated his son, who attended Boardmasters with associates, has been to different festivals and has at all times “had a good time”.

“They are distressed about what happened,” he stated.

“They just decided to come home because they’re not sure if it’s going to happen again today.”

Lucy, a involved mum or dad from Devon, described the scene as “bedlam”.

She stated organisers have to make the occasion “safer for festival-goers”.

“It didn’t feel safe, it didn’t feel staffed,” she stated.

Devon and Cornwall Police stated the incident was “isolated”, with festivities persevering with.

“The injured parties were treated on-site by medical staff and a small number were taken to hospital to be checked over for minor injuries,” the power added.

Festival organisers stated a deliberate set by DJ and producer Sammy Virji was cancelled, including The Point stage was shut to permit on-site groups to answer “an incident in the audience”.

“Sammy Virji’s set was cancelled this evening to allow our on-site teams to respond to a crowd surge,” Boardmasters stated in a press release on X.

“No serious injuries have been reported and our pit and medical teams responded immediately to assist those involved.

“Safety is our primary precedence and we thank Sammy and our viewers for his or her understanding. All different levels have been unaffected and performances proceed as deliberate.”

DJ Sammy Virji stated he was “gutted” to have his set cancelled, but said “security ought to at all times come first”.

“The stoppage was fully out of my fingers and hope you all perceive the competition wanted to prioritise everybody’s wellbeing. Hopefully catch you all quickly at one other set,” he said in a post on Instagram.

A document variety of 58,000 attendees are anticipated to go to the competition this 12 months because it options lead artists Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy.