Three hospitalised after fire and crowd surge at Barnet festival
Ghana Party in the Park at Copthall Playing Fields ended early following a safety incident at its entrance
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Three people were taken to hospital after a fire and crowd surge at the entrance of Ghana Party in the Park in Barnet on Saturday evening. The festival, held at Copthall Playing Fields, was stopped early following what organisers described as a "major incident" at around 18:00 BST.
The Metropolitan Police said a small fire near the entrance gates forced them to close temporarily. When the gates reopened, a crowd surge occurred, leading to injuries. Officers responded quickly, forming a barrier between the crowd and those on the ground.
Ghana Party in the Park cancelled after fire triggers crowd surge at Copthall Playing Fields
Three people were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident on 1 August.
Emergency response and injuries
A total of 23 people received assistance from emergency services or the event’s medical team. Nine were assessed by the London Ambulance Service, and three were taken to hospital. Their injuries were described as non-life-threatening by the Metropolitan Police.
Firefighters, the London Ambulance Service, and the air ambulance attended the scene. Organisers initially paused the festival while safety teams dealt with the fire, resuming operations once the area was declared safe. However, the later crowd surge led to the decision to end the event early.
Ghana Party in the Park closed early after overcrowding injures attendees in Barnet
Barnet Council confirmed the festival’s abrupt closure following non-life-threatening injuries at Copthall Playing Fields
We wish all those who sustained injuries a speedy recovery, and safe journey back home to everyone. We would like to clarify that there were no incidents of stabbing and deaths as was being speculated.
Ghana Party in the Park organisers
Organisers’ statement
In a statement, festival organisers called the day "one of the most difficult" in the event’s history. They confirmed the decision to close the festival was made on health and safety grounds. The statement also addressed rumours, emphasising no stabbings or deaths occurred.
Organisers said they worked closely with emergency services throughout the incident. They thanked attendees for their cooperation as the site was cleared without further issues.
What happens next
It is unclear whether the Metropolitan Police or Barnet Council will conduct a formal review of the incident. Neither organisation has announced any immediate changes to event safety protocols for future gatherings at Copthall Playing Fields.
Residents or attendees seeking updates on the incident can check statements from the Metropolitan Police or Ghana Party in the Park organisers. No further public meetings or consultations have been scheduled.
Questions this report answers
+How many people were injured at the festival?
Twenty-three people received assistance from emergency services or the event’s medical team. Nine were assessed by the London Ambulance Service, and three were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
+What caused the crowd surge at the festival?
A small fire near the entrance gates led to their temporary closure. When the gates reopened, a crowd surge occurred, resulting in injuries. The Metropolitan Police confirmed this sequence of events.
+Will there be an investigation into the incident?
It is unclear whether the Metropolitan Police or Barnet Council will conduct a formal review. No announcements about investigations or changes to safety protocols have been made as of 30 June 2024.
+Was the festival cancelled because of the incident?
Yes, organisers ended the festival early on health and safety grounds after the crowd surge. The decision was made in consultation with emergency services, and attendees left without further incident.
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