Fans Hurt At JLS Christmas Lights In Birmingham

The popularity of JLS brought Birmingham’s Christmas Lights Switch On concert to an early close as thousands flocked to the star studded event.  

Before the concert started at 2pm, the presenters kept asking the crowd to step back as girls were getting squashed at the front. JLS were the first act on and performed four songs before the concert and switch on was cancelled.

More than 60 people were injured and four people were taken to hospital as fans surged towards the stage and broke through a metal barrier.

It is thought that the event was going to attract nearer to 5,000 fans not the 20,000 that turned up – that is the popularity of the JLS boys!! The incident was thought to have been caused by one of the rear gates being forced open and thousands of fans pushing their way in to the square, causing crushing on a big scale in the already overcrowded area.

Due to safety concerns an emergency meeting was held and a joint decision was made between Birmingham City Council, BRMB, Millennium Point and the Emergency Services to cancel the event following JLS’s fantastic performance.

Joan Durose, Head of Events at Birmingham City council said, “At 1.30pm we reached capacity and closed the gates with just under 20,000 people in the square.  At the end of JLS’s performance a safety fence was breached allowing too many people on the square.  We are very sorry that the event has had to be cancelled, we know that people will be very disappointed, but the health and safety of the thousands of young people at the event was our prime concern.”

The Sugababes were also suppose to perform at the Birmingham lights switch on, but the council have now said the lights will be turned on tomorrow.

The council have also issued a statement saying that the Internet rumours of a stabbing at the event are completely untrue.

Posted: November 14th, 2009 under Music, TV & Film.
Tags: Christmas, JLS