Max SteventonGhana Party in the Park was brought to an early close after a crowd surge at the entrance left 23 people injured during the event in north London on Saturday (1 August).
Emergency services were called to Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet shortly after 6pm following reports of people being injured in a crush near the festival entrance. The Metropolitan Police said three people were taken to hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, while a further 20 people were treated at the scene.
The event, also known as Shatta Fest, typically has an attendance of around 10,000 people with organisers yet to confirm the exact capacity of this year’s festival.
According to police, a small fire near the entrance led to the temporary closure of the festival gates. As attendees gathered outside, a crowd surge occurred when the gates reopened, resulting in multiple injuries. The event was subsequently cancelled. Police also said online speculation that the incident had been caused by a stabbing was inaccurate.
The London Ambulance Service said it treated 23 patients and deployed ambulance crews, incident response officers, members of its hazardous area response team and London’s Air Ambulance to the scene. Three patients were taken to hospital while the remaining casualties were discharged after treatment.
Organisers apologised to those affected and said the decision to end the event was taken in consultation with the emergency services after the crowd surge.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “Shortly after 18:00hrs on Saturday, 1 August we were alerted to reports of crushing at the entrance to the Ghana Party in the Park event being held at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet.”
Organisers said, “The safety and wellbeing of everyone at Ghana Party in the Park has always been, and will always remain, our highest priority. This has been one of the most difficult days in the history of Ghana Party in the Park, and we are truly sorry to everyone who was affected.”