People injured after 'crowd collapse' at Boardmasters music festival

Seven festival-goers required hospital treatment following a crowd collapse at Boardmasters music festival.

The incident happened at The Point Stage at the festival in Newquay, Cornwall, on Friday 9 August.

Devon and Cornwall Police said a "small number" of people were taken to hospital to be checked over, but none of the injuries were considered serious.

Officers and organisers added it was an "isolated incident" with the festival continuing.

The stage was temporarily closed and a planned set by DJ and producer Sammy Virji had to be cancelled.

Around 58,000 people flocked to the clifftop site for the five-day festival, which is being headlined by Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Stormzy.

One woman who was caught up in the crowd surge, described the experience as "terrifying".

She said: “When we went in, it wasn’t too bad but it started getting very, very crowded so we tried to move out. We couldn’t get out as there were still so many people streaming in.

“My daughter and I got crushed against the barriers so I heaved her up and over a barrier and then pulled myself out."

In posts responding to concerned parents on X, the festival organisers said safety is their number one priority.

In an updated statement, Boardmasters said: "This was an isolated incident and a total of seven attendees were transferred to hospital nearby for precautionary examination after presenting to our medical team. They have been treated for minor injuries and have all since been discharged.

"We’d like to thank our on-site medical, welfare and security teams for their swift response.

"As usual, medical and welfare teams continue to provide their robust 24h function with on-site locations within both campsite and main arena to support festival goers with any medical or other concerns.

"Our teams are highly trained and here to help at any time of day or night. Information points are also open and operational across the festival site."

ITV News has learned extra safety measures are now being introduced, including additional pit barriers and crowd calming measures.

DJ Sammy Virji said he was “gutted” about his set being cancelled but that “safety should always come first”.

In a post on his Instagram, he said: “I’m incredibly gutted about the stage cancellation for Boardmasters.

"Whilst I’m absolutely honoured at the amount of people who turned up, crowd surges can be very serious and safety should always come first.

"The stoppage was completely out of my hands and hope you all understand the festival needed to prioritise everyone’s wellbeing. Hopefully catch you all soon at another set.”

A statement issued by Devon and Cornwall Police on Saturday 10 August afternoon said: "We were notified following a crowd collapse at Boardmasters music festival in Newquay on Friday 9 August which left a small number of attendees injured.

"The injured parties were treated on-site by medical staff and a small number were taken to hospital to be checked over for minor injuries.

"Contrary to speculation, we can confirm that there have been no deaths as a result of this incident.

"This is an isolated incident and the festival continues."

ITV News spoke to festival-goers, who said they felt "tramatised" by the incident.

Naomi Denton said: “It was a small too small a stage for Sammy Virji, for such a big artist. So it was already overcrowded when we got there, and I just saw like maybe like 50 girls being carried out, they all had like red over their legs, bruises.

"Everyone was just crying, really, we didn't know what was going on but then we heard an announcement that they cancelled Sammy Virji, it was terrible, I went back to my tent then, I was a bit traumatised.”

Lauren St Pierre was not in the crush, but says her friends were.

“They sort of said that initially... there were loads of people (and) it was ridiculously busy.

"Initially people fell over and it was like a domino effect, so everyone just started going forward and people's shins just basically went out from underneath and everyone fell, which was really scary.

"When it's so busy, it's hard to get back up.

"They also just said like the screaming was just horrible because it was like actual fear of like everyone just like going down. So yeah, they said it was really scary.”