Festival-goers injured after “massive crowd surge” at Boardmasters Festival

10 August, 2024

Boardmasters

Concertgoers were reportedly injured in a crowd surge at Boardmasters music festival.

It was reported by the Devon and Cornwall police that the incident at the Newquay festival “left a small number of attendees injured” on Friday (August 9).

In a statement on their website, they described it as an isolated incident, and said: “The injured parties are currently being treated on-site by medical staff or have been taken to hospital to be checked over. None of the injuries are considered serious.”

As a result, a DJ set was cancelled, with Boardmasters taking to X/Twitter to state: “Sammy Virji’s set was cancelled this evening to allow our on site teams to respond to a crowd surge. No serious injuries have been reported and our pit and medical teams responded immediately to assist those involved.”

(1/2) Sammy Virji’s set was cancelled this evening to allow our on site teams to respond to a crowd surge. No serious injuries have been reported and our pit and medical teams responded immediately to assist those involved.

— Boardmasters (@boardmasters) August 9, 2024

Fans attending the festival have also taken to social media to express their concern, particularly given Boardmasters got permission to increase it’s capacity by thousands this year, bringing the attendance to an estimated 58,000 people.

“Do not send your kids to @boardmasters,” warned one attendee. “it’s gone from a fun festival to an overcrowded drug infested unorganised mess. Last nights crush is no surprise the place is over sold & there is no infrastructure, the stewards agree.”

Some have expressed concerns about poor signal on site, with many of the tweets coming from worried parents. One mother told PA Media that “nothing seemed to be done” by security despite the “massive crowd surge”. Check out more reactions below:

You know what’s happened? Daughter is there and can’t get through.

— Mark Eccleston (@MarkEccleston1) August 9, 2024

Do not send your kids to @boardmasters it’s gone from a fun festival to an overcrowded drug infested unorganised mess. Last nights crush is no surprise the place is over sold & there is no infrastructure, the stewards agree
What a disgrace
They should have there license removed

— BOSH DARTS (@boshdartsuk) August 10, 2024

@boardmasters this doesn’t look like a safe festival pic.twitter.com/u4tOS1ucdN

— Andre Moreau (@champscompagne) August 9, 2024

Daughter at Boardmasters Festival last night and got trampled in a crowd surge that collapsed the stage. She and mates ok but loads of people hurt and stretchered off. Seem like appealing crowd management. Hope nobody is seriously hurt.

— Chris Lee (@ChrisLe00857089) August 10, 2024

What’s happened at @boardmasters is a disgrace. It’s a potentially life threatening situation. Crowd safety should be a number 1 priority. Heads need to roll for this totally unacceptable.

— 𝓛𝓪𝓻𝓪 𝓪𝓶𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓪 (@laraameliajak) August 10, 2024

Back in November, the first wave of artists for this year’s edition of the festival were announced, with Stormzy, Chase & Status, Sam Fender and Becky Hill leading the line-up, with another 30 plus acts, including Becky Hill, Bicep, Nia Archives, Tom Odell, Soft Play, English Teacher and Katy B set to perform.