Organisers of the British Summer Time festival have confirmed 38 people were injured during The Libertines‘ headline performance last weekend, with 8 being taken to hospital for treatment on ‘minor injuries’.
“As a result of crowd pushing at the start of The Libertines’ set, 38 people were taken to the medical centre to be assessed and/or to receive treatment,” event director Jim King has told NME. “Of that number, eight were taken to hospital for minor injuries.”
The show marked The Libertines’ return (save for two warm-up shows in Glasgow) four years on from their first reunion at the 2010 Reading/Leeds festival. The occasion clearly proved too much for some people, and the band were forced off stage on two occasions early doors, while there was another unexpected break towards the end when some fans took it upon themselves to climb the sound rigging.
In addition, there were reports of various other organisational and logistical problems throughout the day as the likes of The Pogues, Graham Coxon and Spiritualized also performed.
“What happened on Saturday is already being fully debriefed with all event agencies involved on the night, and a full report will be completed with recommendations for future years identified,” King continued.
British Summer Time continues tomorrow (July 10th) at London’s Hyde Park with a comedy line-up topped by Tim Minchin.
