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perhaps for mobile use, but using foam has been debated here before, as have bubble machines both of which can prove hazardous even with our size of audiences.
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| Twenty-five teenagers needed hospital treatment last night after a foam party co-promoted by Signal Radio for under-18s descended into chaos. Six youngsters suffered suspected broken bones and two more had asthma attacks as party-goers slipped on foam released on to the dancefloor of Liquid nightclub. As mass panic gripped the nightclub, which had around 1,900 13 to 17 year olds inside, several were trampled on as they tried to get back on their feet. Staffordshire Ambulance Service launched a major emergency operation following calls to the club on Brunswick Street shortly before 9pm. Eight ambulances, including a number of non-emergency vehicles, were used to ferry stricken youngsters to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire. Sophie Stevenson, aged 13, saw the panic. She said: "The foam came down on to the dancefloor but it was only in one part so everyone rushed forward and people started getting trampled on. People were losing their shoes and some were crying. I saw someone with blood pouring down their face. Her mother, Julie, said: "When I pulled up and saw the police and ambulances I thought 'good God, what's happened here?'. To be honest I don't think they should have these foam parties for under-18s. A lot of them are in high heel shoes and they don't know how to walk in them. I'm a bit wary of letting Sophie go to another one." Following the incident, hundreds of teenagers arrived outside the club, and police had to push the crowd back in order to clear the entrance. The club was eventually closed at around 10.30pm. A spokesman for Staffordshire Ambulance Service said: "Most of the children taken to hospital were just really worked up because of the panic. "It was a natural crowd reaction, it's not unusual, but the only problem is it compounds the other difficulties in a situation like this. "The management of the club decided to keep it open to avoid the panic spreading further." He added: "This operation involved a number of non-emergency vehicles as well as emergency ambulances, and demonstrates the importance of having an integrated service. It is a concern that this may no longer be available in the future." A police spokesman said: "During the use of the foam, 25 youngsters were hurt. All were taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for treatment, mainly shock. Six youngsters required treatment for suspected fractures. No injuries are life-threatening. At this stage it is believed the injuries were caused by the enthusiasm of the youngsters jumping in and out of the foam." A hospital spokesman confirmed one casualty was today in a comfortable and stable condition after being kept in overnight. She said: "A number of people came in to deal with the cases but we also had managers coming in to deal with the logistics of it." The event - known as Lick - has been running for two years. Last night, 1,975 youngsters were at the 2,700-capacity venue. A statement from Liquid said: "As the DJ built anticipation for the first short burst of foam, several people rushed towards the dancefloor. "Certain customers slipped and fell. Others moved forward and then stepped on some of those who had already fallen. Twenty-five customers were treated by on site first-aiders before ambulance crews took them to A &E to assess any injury or harm. "Two people were treated for fractures and two suffered breathing difficulties. "Health and Safety is of paramount importance to both Liquid and Signal 1, therefore as a preventative measure we have suspended all future under 18 events pending a full investigation." Signal Radio's station director Lisa Hughes said: "Our priority is to make sure that any of our listeners involved in last night's incident are being looked after. We have been involved with co-promoting these events which have been organised directly by Liquid for a number of years without any incidents. "We are very concerned to find out how this situation arose.We have asked Liquid for a full report on what happened and suspended our involvement in any other events with the club until a full investigation has been carried out |
