At least 60 people suffered crush injuries when the crowd at a Christmas lights switch-on in Birmingham surged forward after X Factor runners-up JLS took to the stage.And naturally, 'the authorities' are getting the blame:
According to reports, about 27,000 people turned up for a show at Millennium Point on Jennens Lane, which had been expected to attract just 5,000 fans.Because, of course, if there's no room at an event, why, it's not like you can go home again, is it?
No, you have to stay, and when the time comes, seize the chance to trample your fellow human beings underfoot for the opportunity to watch a fifty-third rate pop act:
A spokesman for Birmingham City Council said that the concert had descended into mayhem as fans tried to get too close to the stage.I'd use the tag 'animals' for this story, but that'd be a little unfair. To the rest of the living world...
"We have had fans being lifted out of the crowd fainting and people being crushed, it's not going well," she said.
One woman in her 30s suffered serious crush injuries to her pelvis, shoulder and leg. Another woman broke her ankle in the surge.
Who are JLS and what is an X Factor?
ReplyDeletefifty-third rate pop act
ReplyDeleteWell ... yes.
//I'd use the tag 'animals' for this story, but that'd be a little unfair. To the rest of the living world...//
ReplyDeleteLol! Rather reminds me of the Blackadder II joke. Baldrick says that he feels proud to be part of the greatest kingdom on Earth, and Blackadder replies, "no doubt so do many other members of the Animal Kingdom".
On a serious note, it does rather raise a question of the wisdom of democracy, given that most people seem unable to control themselves.
It's been said that the IQ of a crowd is that of the thickest person there divided by the number in it. Explains everything about this really.
ReplyDeleteI suspect that all crowds can be risky, even if you don't have a particularly rowdy element involved in them. It's a function of the fact that very few people in the crowd can see further than their immediate neighbours. Tends to make people easily spooked.
ReplyDeleteMonty
I thought the UK was heavy with 'health n safety' rules.
ReplyDeleteShouldn't something have been banned or arrested.
"Who are JLS and what is an X Factor?"
ReplyDeleteI wish I didn't know.. :)
"Explains everything about this really."
Indeed!
"I suspect that all crowds can be risky, even if you don't have a particularly rowdy element involved in them."
Oh, yes. It's not like there isn't precedent for this sort of thing, either...
"I thought the UK was heavy with 'health n safety' rules.
Shouldn't something have been banned or arrested."
Something probably will be, by this time next week.
Blame the Police. The drunken scousers at Hillsborough did.
ReplyDelete