Cornwall Council launch formal investigation into Boardmasters crowd crush

Cornwall Council have launched a formal investigation into the crowd crush at Newquay’s Boardmasters festival last Friday (9th August) that resulted in a number of injured attendees.

The surge, which reportedly left seven people hospitalised, is currently being investigated by the public protection unit of the local authority, as the BBC reports. 

The crush took place at the festival’s The Point stage prior to an 8:30pm set by Sammy Virji, with the performance getting cancelled due to reports of festival-goers being trampled and equipment collapsing.

Devon and Cornwall Police said they were informed of a “crowd collapse”, which “left a small number of attendees injured”. They described the crush as an “isolated incident” and added that “none of the injuries [were] considered serious”, according to the BBC.

The Point stage was eventually re-opened following “a full review of safety management procedures,” wrote the festival in a statement issued on the Sunday.

“We would like to inform everyone that we have experienced pit and security teams in place across the festival,” they added, later adding an updated statement explaining that the attendees had been “treated for minor injuries and have all since been discharged”.

Local police also reportedly made 11 arrests at the five-day festival for drugs offences, sexual offences and assault.

Nia Archives, Stormzy and Chase & Status were also among the performers at this year’s Boardmasters festival.