Christmas lights chaos in Birmingham

At least 60 injuries in crowd surge at Birmingham Christmas lights switch-on during JLS concert
At least 60 injuries in crowd surge at Birmingham Christmas lights switch-on during JLS concert
 
 

Sunday, 15, Nov 2009 09:38

By Matthew Champion

Dozens of people were injured at Birmingham's Christmas lights switch-on yesterday when fans surged into a packed square for a free JLS gig.

Birmingham city council was forced to cancel a series of planned performances when barriers gave way.

Most of the injured were treated at the scene but four out of the estimated 20,000 revellers required hospital treatment.

Martin Mullaney, head of leisure, sport and culture at the council, which ran the event at Millennium point with local radio station BRMB, defended the decision to abandon the concert.

"I fully support the joint decision to abandon the concert because public safety has to be our immediate concern," he said.

"I would sooner read headlines about red faces than read headlines about a tragedy.

"I'm sorry a lot of people went home disappointed and there will be a full investigation into what went wrong and what lessons can be learned for the future."

Along with X Factor runners-up JLS, Sugababes, Tinchy Stryder, Chipmunk, Little Boots and Alexandra Burke had all been due to perform.

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