\n<\/p>\n
Three people were taken to hospital after a fire and crush at the entrance of a festival.<\/p>\n
Organisers of Ghana Party in the Park, also known as Shattafest UK, at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet, London, said the event was stopped following a “major incident” at about 18:00 BST on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Metropolitan Police said a fire had started near the gates, which meant they were closed temporarily.<\/p>\n
A crowd built up, and there was a surge when the gates reopened, it said.<\/p>\n
Organisers said the decision to end the festival was made on health and safety grounds.<\/p>\n
It said in a statement the day had been “one of the most difficult” in the event’s history and called what happened “deeply upsetting”.<\/p>\n Emergency services arriving at the event at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet where 23 people received medical aid [BBC]<\/p>\n <\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Firefighters, the ambulance service and air ambulance also attended.<\/p>\n Organisers had initially “temporarily paused” the festival while firefighters and event safety teams responded to the small fire at the entrance.<\/p>\n A spokesperson said: “Once the incident had been addressed and the affected area declared safe, normal event operations resumed.<\/p>\n “Later in the day a crowd surge at the festival entrance resulted in several attendees sustaining injuries.”<\/p>\n Organisers said it was agreed closing the festival was considered the safest option.<\/p>\n “We wish all those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery, and safe journey back home to everyone,” the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n They added: “We would like to clarify that there were no incidents of stabbing and deaths as [was] being speculated.”<\/p>\n The Met said it was called after reports of crushing at the entrance.<\/p>\n “A small fire on the site, near to the entrance, had required the gates to be closed temporarily. A crowd built up and surged when the gates were reopened.<\/p>\n “Officers responded quickly, and working alongside event organisers, they formed a barrier between the surging crowds and people on the floor.”<\/p>\n Officers, the force said, gave initial medical care, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).<\/p>\n “A total of 23 people received some form of assistance either from the emergency services or the event medical team, with nine people assessed by the London Ambulance Service.<\/p>\n “Three were taken to hospital, where their condition was confirmed as non-life-threatening.<\/p>\n “The event was ended early, and crowds left without further incident.”<\/p>\n Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on <\/em>Sounds<\/em><\/a> and follow BBC London on <\/em>Facebook<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>X<\/em><\/a> and <\/em>Instagram<\/em><\/a>. Send your story ideas to <\/em>hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n‘Crowd surged gates’<\/h2>\n
Related internet links<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n