Man dies after punch at Park Life festival in Manchester
- Robert Hart was involved in a dispute at the Park Life festival that led to him being punched and ultimately dying from his injuries five days later.
- His ex-girlfriend, Gemma Parry, has renewed calls for witnesses to come forward, emphasizing the importance of sharing any video or photographic evidence.
- The incident serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities present in public settings and the need for accountability in violent situations.
In June 2014, a tragic incident unfolded at the Park Life festival in Heaton Park, Manchester, when 26-year-old Robert Hart was fatally injured following a heated altercation over a blow-up doll thrown into the crowd. Initially, Hart attended the festival with his girlfriend and friends, marking a joyful occasion as they had previously enjoyed the event the year before. Gemma Parry, Hart's ex-girlfriend, recounts how the festival started with dancing and fun, abruptly turning into chaos when a scuffle broke out, leading to Hart being punched. Despite attempts to defuse the situation and get Robert away from the conflict, he sustained injuries resulting in his death five days later. The case has remained in the public eye as Gemma, now over a decade later, has made a fresh appeal for information regarding the incident. Greater Manchester Police are seeking assistance from witnesses, specifically asking those who were in the crowd on that day to come forward with any information, especially if they recorded videos or took photographs. Even if someone felt unable to report their involvement in the past, they are encouraged to speak to the authorities now as circumstances may have changed since then. Robert was remembered fondly by his loved ones; he was the youngest of four children, raised in Macclesfield and educated at Fallibroome Academy, later studying art and design at Liverpool John Moores University. This incident not only highlights the fragility of life but also the lasting impact on those left behind, urging a collective responsibility to seek justice and closure in the face of violence at public events.