Teen Injured in Crowd Surge at Boardmasters Festival

A teenager has recounted his harrowing experience during a crowd surge at the Boardmasters music festival in Newquay, Cornwall, on Friday night. The 16-year-old, who was positioned near the front for DJ Sammy Virji's performance, described being overwhelmed as a wave of festival-goers pushed forward, causing him to fall and twist his leg. He reported being in "incredible pain" and unable to get up, while witnessing other children in distress, some crying and others being carried away due to injuries. Witnesses, including a concerned mother, noted the chaotic scene as a "huge surge of kids" rushed to the front, likening it to a "river of people." One mother recounted seeing a child with a severe leg injury, expressing concern over the lack of adequate medical support at the festival. Although a few medics were present, the response appeared insufficient for the number of injured attendees. Another festival-goer, Sophie Davies, assisted the injured teenager after searching for him, highlighting the absence of essential medical supplies like stretchers and ice packs. Despite the alarming situation, those injured were treated for minor injuries and later discharged. Cornwall Police confirmed that a "small number" of injuries resulted from the crowd surge. This year's festival saw an increased capacity of 58,000 attendees, a rise of 5,000 from the previous year, following approval from the county council for BM Management's license application.