Several people were hurt after a reported “stampede” occurred during a live music gathering in London.
The incident happened at Ghana Party In The Park, held at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet on Saturday, August 1. Organisers ended the celebration earlier than planned after an “overcrowding issue” required assistance from police and event staff.
Reports suggest a “crush” developed at the location after a minor fire caused officials to temporarily shut the entrance gates. Police explained that the number of people waiting outside then increased “and surged when the gates were reopened”.
A reported 23 individuals required treatment, while nine were examined by the London Ambulance Service. Videos from the location showed several emergency vehicles, including air ambulances. Three attendees were transported to hospital, although none were believed to be in danger of dying.
“Officers responded quickly and working alongside event organisers, they formed a barrier between the surging crowds and people on the floor,” a Met Police representative said. “Officers gave initial medical care, including CPR, to those who had sustained injuries. They were joined by paramedics and firefighters as part of a coordinated multi-agency response.
“The event was ended early and crowds left without further incident.”
Festival organisers told The Standard: “The decision to close the festival was made solely on the grounds of health and safety. Officers from the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade responded to a major incident on site.”
“Following discussions with the emergency services and our health and safety team, it was agreed that closing the festival was the safest option in order to protect all attendees,” they continued. “We would like to clarify that there were no incidents of stabbing and deaths as being speculated. The safety and wellbeing of our attendees, staff, artists, contractors and partners remains our upmost priority.”
One attendee told The Sun that they witnessed “this stampede coming through the main entrance”. They added that the situation resulted in “people being carried out on stretchers” and described the scene as “very very chaotic”.
A separate visitor informed the Daily Mail that “two air ambulances [were] flown in to take some of the injured away”. They also estimated that “probably 1,000 people” gathered after the gates were shut.
Shortly after the disturbance, a Barnet Council spokesperson confirmed that “several people” had suffered injuries but said nobody was in a life-threatening condition. He added that “police and council officers are on site” and urged the public to continue “avoiding the area”.
Ghana Party In The Park has taken place in Barnet since 2005 and is promoted online as a “cultural festival celebrating the very best of Ghanaian music, culture, food, fashion and community”. Approximately 8,000 visitors attend annually, with Shatta Wale serving as this year’s headline performer.
