Ghana Party in the Park at Copthall Playing Fields in Barnet was forced into an abrupt closure on Saturday after what police and organisers described as an overcrowding issue at the entrance.
Several festivalgoers sustained non-life threatening injuries in the crush. Footage from the event showed dozens of emergency vehicles, including air ambulances, at the scene. One witness told the Sun they saw at least three injured people being carried away on stretchers as medics attended.
Witnesses describe chaotic scenes
Kieran Turnbull, 18, said: “We saw this stampede coming through the main entrance. At the bit where they do the bag and clothing searches everyone was just pushing through. People were being carried out on stretchers. It became very very chaotic.”
Another witness told the Daily Mail: “Ghana Party in the Park, aka ShattaFest, has had a stampede, with people seriously injured. Two air ambulances (helicopters) have flown in to take some of the injured away. People have been unable to get into the event since 2pm. There are probably 1,000 people outside right now.”
Organisers close festival as a precaution
In a statement on Saturday night, organisers said: “Following the unfortunate incident at today's event, we wish to provide an update regarding the abrupt closure of Ghana in the Park. The decision to close the festival was made solely on the grounds of health and safety. Officers from the London Ambulance Service and the London Fire Brigade responded to a major incident on site.”
They added: “Following discussions with the emergency services and our health and safety team, it was agreed that closing the festival was the safest option in order to protect all attendees. We would like to clarify that there were no incidents of stabbing and deaths as being speculated.”
Police and council respond
Earlier, organisers had said the event was temporarily paused after a major incident and asked festivalgoers to stay away from the area.
The Metropolitan Police said: “Officers are at Copthall Playing Fields where Ghana Party in the Park has been cancelled after an overcrowding issue at the entrance saw several people sustain non-life threatening injuries. Speculation about a stabbing is inaccurate. Please help us by avoiding the area.”
A spokesman for Barnet Council said: “The Ghana Party in the Park event at Copthall Playing Fields has ended early this evening after an overcrowding issue at the entrance saw several people sustain non-life threatening injuries. The police and council officers are on site, please help us by avoiding the area.”
An annual celebration of Ghanaian culture
Ghana Party in the Park, also known as ShattaFest UK, is an annual outdoor festival in London that has been running since 2005. Its website describes it as a “cultural festival celebrating the very best of Ghanaian music, culture, food, fashion and community”.
According to the London Assembly website, the event attracts more than 8,000 people, making it the largest Ghanaian event outside of Ghana.
The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for further information.
