Astroworld operations plan failed to include crowd surge protocol
Bygevoeg deur prem aan 10/11/2021
A 56-page event operations plan for the Astroworld music festival in Houston included protocols for dangerous scenarios including an active shooter, bomb or terrorist threats and severe weather, but did not include information on what to do in the event of a crowd surge.
That is what happened on Friday night, when headliner Travis Scott took the stage at the outdoor festival where eight people died and which is now the focus of a criminal investigation.
Authorities have said 50,000 people attended the event.
"In any situation where large groups of people are gathering there is the potential for a civil disturbance/riot that can present a grave risk to the safety and security of employees and guests," the plan said.
"The key in properly dealing with this type of scenario is proper management of the crowd from the minute the doors open. Crowd management techniques will be employed to identify potentially dangerous crowd behavior in its early stages in an effort to prevent a civil disturbance/riot."
If crowds are displaying threatening or destructive behavior, security and a supervisor should be notified, the plan said.
Experts say crowd surge deaths happen because people are packed into a space so tightly that they are squeezed and cannot breathe. It is not usually because they are trampled.
Houston's police chief said on Monday he met with Scott to discuss safety concerns before the rapper performed. Troy Finner said Scott's head of security also attended that meeting, but he did not provide details of their conversation in a statement released by the police department.
"I asked Travis Scott and his team to work with HPD for all events over the weekend and to be mindful of his team's social media messaging on any scheduled events," Finner said. "The meeting was brief and respectful, and a chance for me to share my public safety concerns as chief of police."
Houston police and fire department investigators have said they are reviewing surveillance video provided by the concert promoter, Live Nation, as well as dozens of clips from concert-goers widely shared on social media. Investigators also planned to speak with Live Nation representatives, Scott and concert-goers.
Live Nation said in a statement on Monday full refunds would be offered to all attendees.
Scott's scheduled appearance at the Day N Vegas Festival in Las Vegas this weekend was canceled, according to a representative who requested anonymity.
Scott, who founded the Astroworld festival, said he would cover funeral costs for the victims. The dead ranged in age from 14 aan 27 and came from Texas, Illinois and Washington state, according to Harris county authorities. They included high-schoolers, an aspiring border patrol agent and a computer science student.
Medical examiners have not released the causes of death, which could take several weeks, said Michele Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences.
Meer as 300 people were treated at a field hospital on site and at least 13 people were hospitalized.
Contemporary Services, headquartered in Los Angeles, was responsible for security staff at the festival, according to county records in Texas. The company describes itself as being "recognized worldwide as the pioneer, expert and only employee owned company in the crowd management field".
Company representatives have not responded to emails and phone messages.
Astroworld security and emergency medical response protocols filed with Harris county and obtained by the AP stated: "The potential for multiple alcohol/drug-related incidents, possible evacuation needs, and the ever-present threat of a mass casualty situation are identified as key concerns."
The plan instructs staff to "notify event control of a suspected deceased victim utilizing the code 'Smurf'".
It goes on to say: "Never use the term 'dead' or 'deceased' over the radio."
It is not clear whether the protocol was followed.
Astrowêreld, skare, operationsfailedinclude, protocol, surge
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