Injury Incident at Boardmasters Festival in Newquay
- A woman suffered injuries during a crowd surge at Boardmasters Festival.
- Cornwall Council has initiated an investigation into the incident.
- The stage had to be closed and a DJ's set was cancelled as a result of the incident.
A chaotic scene unfolded at the Boardmasters festival in Newquay on Friday, as a sudden surge of attendees led to injuries among festival-goers. Jade Brooks, a 23-year-old dancer from Rotherham, recounted hearing her knee "crunch" as the crowd became increasingly packed ahead of DJ Sammy Virji's performance. Brooks, one of seven individuals injured, expressed her disappointment, stating that her holiday plans were now disrupted, as she would be relying on crutches for the remainder of her stay. Another victim, a 16-year-old boy, described his experience of being pushed to the ground when the crowd surged forward. He reported feeling intense pain and was unable to get up after twisting his leg during the incident. The festival atmosphere quickly shifted from excitement to concern as attendees reacted to the unfolding situation. In response to the incident, the local council's public protection service has launched an investigation. A spokesperson confirmed that seven attendees were taken to a nearby hospital for precautionary examinations after being treated by on-site medical staff. The festival organizers acknowledged the situation, emphasizing their commitment to attendee safety. Devon and Cornwall Police Superintendent Russell Dawe addressed the incident, confirming that while most injuries were managed on-site, the surge in crowd density led to several individuals requiring further medical attention. The investigation aims to ensure the safety of future events at the festival.