So at least 8 people died and hundreds injured in a crowd crush in Houston. We know how to control crowds at events like this, how does this happen in a major U.S. city in 2021?

https://abc13.com/astroworld-f...as-concert/11203827/
8 dead, hundreds injured at Astroworld fest Friday night, hours after stampede
Festival canceled as investigators work to find out what happened
Saturday, November 6, 2021 8:47AM

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At least eight people died Friday night at a concert packed with an estimated 50,000 people at NRG Park.

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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Eight people died Friday night and hundreds of others were injured during the opening night of a popular weekend music festival at NRG Park, authorities said.

It happened at the third-annual Astroworld Festival, a sold-out concert event featuring multiple acts.
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The worst of the incident began around 9:15 p.m. when the crowd of approximately 50,000 concert-goers began to move toward the front of the stage, according to Houston Fire Chief Samuel Peña.

"The crowd began to compress toward the front of the stage, and people began to panic," Peña said.

The view from SkyEye overhead Friday night showed the heavy police and fire department activity in the area of the event as organizers ended it early. The organizers, rapper Travis Scott and LiveNation, stopped the show when it was apparent that multiple people were hurt, according to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner.

WATCH: ABC13 extended coverage of the disaster at Astroworld Festival

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As investigators work to find out what happened, a reunification center has opened for loved ones who can't reach attendees. Here's a look at Saturday morning's coverage of 8 death



While the most deadly moments happened after 9:30 p.m., Peña said more than 300 patients total had been treated at a field hospital since the event began, including people who were hurt during the worst moments. While names and ages of the casualties weren't known, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said one of the victims was 10-years-old.

Houston Fire Department and Harris County medics transported 23 people to hospitals, 17 of those patients were taken away during the worst of the ordeal, according to Peña, who also said CPR had to be performed on 11 of the victims. HFD had 55 units in-service for the festival, Peña said.

Festival founder Travis Scott, a rapper and Missouri City native, was joined on stage by Drake in a surprise appearance as the crowd surged.

HPD Executive Assistant Chief Larry Satterwhite was on-duty at the festival along with 367 police officers and 241 security officers. He gave his first-hand account during an early morning press conference.

"Once we started having the mass casualty incident, they were starting CPR on several people, and it happened all at once," Satterwhite said. "It seemed like it happened over the course of just a few minutes. Suddenly, we had several people down on the ground experiencing some type of cardiac arrest or some type of medical episode."

Medical transports were already at the park for the multi-day festival, but staff was quickly overwhelmed with injured people, authorities said.

Investigators were dispatched to hospitals Saturday morning in an attempt to identify the victims. The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office will determine how the eight people died.

The rest of the weekend's planned performances were canceled, and the area is now a crime scene as investigators work to find out what exactly happened.

"At some point, the show was stopped when the crowd was surging," Finner said as he noted the event's promoters were cooperating with investigators.

WATCH: City and county leaders give update on Astroworld Festival mass casualty incident

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Houston and Harris County authorities explain what they believe happened late Friday night at the event that drew tens of thousands to NRG Park.<br>At least eight people died, and as many as 300 were injured.



It wasn't yet clear what caused the deaths or injuries. Finner early Saturday shot down any early speculation about the multiple fatalities.

"There are a lot of rumors going around," Finner said. "We have hurting families out here."

Organizers with Astroworld Festival released the following statement early Saturday morning:

Our hearts are with the Astroworld Festival family tonight - especially those we lost and their loved ones. We are focused on supporting local officials however we can. With that in mind the festival will no longer be held on Saturday. As authorities mentioned in their press conference earlier, they are looking into the series of cardiac arrests that took place. If you have any relevant information on this, please reach out to Houston Police. Thank you to our partners at the Houston Police Department, Fire Department, and NRG Park for their response and support.



A reunification center was set up at 8686 Kirby Drive near the South Loop at the Wyndham Houston hotel for family members to connect with their loved ones who may have attended the festival. The reunion location is being staffed by personnel from Houston Police, the Houston Fire Department and counselors, authorities said. City leaders urged family members to visit the location if they haven't been in touch with their loved ones who attended the concert.

"If you're a relative, (and your) family member was at this event and you have not spoken to this individual, we have units available to assist," Finner said.

Residents from outside the Houston-area who haven't heard loved ones who attended the festival can call 832-393-2991 or 832-393-2990.

While it was too early to know if the deaths or injuries were the result of criminal activity, Finner said his department investigating any possibilities.

"Until we determine what happened, what caused the surge, we don't know," Finner said. "We will find out. Is there anything criminal? We don't know."

The deadly incident came hours after a massive crowd stormed the perimeter of NRG Park, creating a chaotic situation for security personnel and event staff. Finner said the two events were not related.

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
We know how to control crowds at events like this, how does this happen in a major U.S. city in 2021?

Nothing bad happens for a long time and then complacency and/or forgetting (or never having learned) the previous lessons.

Although the specifics of how they happen are obviously much different, the mindsets that lead to something like this and someone’s being shot with a live cartridge on a movie set can share many similarities.

Other than the Rhode Island night club fire, I don't think we have seen this many concert deaths since the Who in 79. Tragic.

Once a "push" begins, the amount of weight and movement of mass is unrealized, and trying to push back, is futile. It is like a liquid of unbearable force of multiplication.

I was in a similar situation when I was young, but no where near the degree of people, yet I remember the realization, that I had little I could do, except concentrate on not getting knocked down, and working to stay "uncompressed" and constantly moving to less density. And I saw the look on people that were confused and unable to do the same, they added to the "uncontrolled" mass.

I had a near drowning experience more than 20 years later, it put me in the same mindset.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
We know how to control crowds at events like this, how does this happen in a major U.S. city in 2021?

Nothing bad happens for a long time and then complacency and/or forgetting (or never having learned) the previous lessons.

We think we know how, until the actual SHTF. No two massively crowded events are alike.

quote:

Originally posted by sigfreund:

quote:

Originally posted by HayesGreener:
We know how to control crowds at events like this, how does this happen in a major U.S. city in 2021?

Nothing bad happens for a long time and then complacency and/or forgetting (or never having learned) the previous lessons.

Events like this require robust police and security staffing. I am wondering if intentionally reduced police presence, or manpower shortages may have played a role? I would be interested in the conclusions of the investigation. There will be major civil liability issues here so it is sure to get a lot of attention.

Reading the article- They were never in charge of the crowd or security:

Mycah Hatfield
@MycahABC13
· 18h
As we were arriving to the Astroworld Festival at NRG Park right at 2:00, a stampede burst through the gates. Hundreds of people destroyed the VIP security entrance, bypassing the checkpoint. People were trampled. Some were detained.

No concerts for a year+, the animals are restless.

We are becoming more like a third world country every day.

Sheeple or lemmings? Or just normal human "behavior"? What could be the mindset that makes one "want" to be part of a concert organism that huge?

But we can regularly get 70-100k in a football stadium with no issues ?


They just had 42k at the losing world series game a few nights ago. What’s the difference and causes people at a concert to lose their minds ?

I am going to venture to say people watching a game and sitting in seats, is different than a large group standing and pressing toward a stage, very different perceptions by each crowd.

quote:

Originally posted by ElToro:


They just had 42k at the losing world series game a few nights ago. What’s the difference and causes people at a concert to lose their minds ?

Just my opinion but drugs are a lot more prevalent at concerts vs. sporting events.

Spectators aren’t on the field during sporting events, while concert goers are. Also, with the lineup listed below, I strongly suspect attracts a younger more rambunctious crowd that most sporting events.

"The 2021 iteration of the Astroworld Festival will feature performances from Young Thug, Tame Impala, Bad Bunny, SZA, Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, Baby Keem, Earth, Wind & Fire, Don Toliver, Master P, 21 Savage, Toro y Moi, BIA, Chief Keef, and more.”

Horrific Videos Capture Aftermath of Stampede at Rap Concert in Texas That Left Eight Dead

https://twitter.com/MycahABC13...s-left-eight-dead%2F

"As we were arriving to the Astroworld Festival at NRG Park right at 2:00, a stampede burst through the gates. Hundreds of people destroyed the VIP security entrance, bypassing the checkpoint. People were trampled. Some were detained."

quote:

Originally posted by AzMikeCFD102:
Horrific Videos Capture Aftermath of Stampede at Rap Concert in Texas That Left Eight Dead

No, that incident of large groups of people rushing the VIP entrance to break into the concert was not what caused the crushing deaths, or even the aftermatch of the deaths. Two different incidents, hours apart.

The videoed rush to break in took place at around 2:00 pm.

The crowd crush that killed 8 people took place during the concert at around 9:15 pm, 7+ hours later.

But this earlier incident at 2:00 is certainly telling because it's indicative of the types of people making up some (most?) of the crowd at this rap concert - rambunctious younger folks with no regard for the rules or the people around them, as well as the overall effectiveness of the concert security.

Straight up POOR security. That tape shows how ridiculous it was.

quote:

Straight up POOR security. That tape shows how ridiculous it was.

Perhaps if better security was there at the time they could have checked if everyone was wearing his or her mask in addition to making sure everyone crashing the gate had a valid VIP pass...


Common sense, respect for others and obeying the law should come first in everyones daily thoughts and actions. In other words act like an adult.

That lone security guard never had a chance - but he did try throwing a few shoulder checks.

Animals.

Scary night for the wife and I. We got a frantic call from our daughter telling us our 15 YO grandson was at a concert in Houston and was trampled by the crowd. Finally we got word early this morning he and his friends escaped with sprains, scrapes, and bruises. Somehow, while he was trying to get out of the situation (knocked down several times) he ended up losing sight of his group. Somehow they all found each other and got out of the mess.

My heart goes out to those who suffered loss of life and serious injury and my thanks to God for the safe conclusion for my Grandson. He is traumatized and changed his view of the world likely forever but is whole, safe, and on his way home in Central Texas. While he will almost certainly keep listenIng to Travis Scott’s “music” i don’t think he will ever want to see him live with 50,000 other people.