Music fans have slammed organisers of one of the biggest concerts to ever be held in Aberdeen, claiming it was like a “stampede” at the end.
Little Mix wowed an 18,000-strong crowd during an outdoor concert at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre on Saturday.
But after they finished their set, panicked fans began to get pushed up against the metal fence as security staff tried to direct people out the arena.
Visitors were not allowed to enter the building’s lobby or use the toilets, and were instead held behind a 6ft fence as staff tried to provide a streamlined exit.
Frustrated fans could be seen banging on the doors of the AECC to get access, while others became impatient at the delays and began climbing over the fences – and even crawling under them.
Jennifer Brown travelled from Bannockburn to see the band, and said she was “disgusted”.
“It was like a stampede,” she said. “Thousands just turned round and started making their way to the exit when the show ended.
“People were climbing over the railings at the stairs to get out and others going over the fence.
“I saw security staff attacked, a man assault a woman, and even a woman doing the toilet in front of everyone. “
Mrs Brown’s daughter had to be taken to a first-aid tent after suffering from a panic attack.
When questioned, a security guard said the concert-goers were being kept from entering the building due to ‘crowd control measures.’
Oldmeldrum mum Allison Tobin attended the show with her daughter Abi, and was shocked at the chaos.
She said: “We couldn’t see anything from the middle of the crowd but I tried to stay calm. My daughter was great, she saw a little girl in a massive panic and gave her a big hug.
“This was terrible organisation mixed with people, kids and alcohol.
“I really hope this doesn’t put people off going to concerts because they are brilliant and not usually organised in this way.”
Lucy Ferguson, from Aberdeen, added: “It was awful. As we had VIP tickets we entered through the main frontdoors, but when the concert ended we were told to leave by the back end and didn’t know where to go, so just followed the crowds.
“We were squashed up against the metal fencing. There were small children crying and really panicked.”
Outside the arena, massive tailbacks meant that some families spent up to hours trying to exit the building by car or bus.
Despite a curfew of 10.30pm, there were still people trying to get out until midnight, in queues for buses or within their cars.
An AECC spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that an incident occurred where a group of people tried to leave the outdoor arena by moving the security fence line, this undoubtedly cause some alarm and distress for other concert goers, the incident was dealt with swiftly by a security and venue response team.
“As per the event plan, there were 172 security personnel on site last night, in addition, there were a number of paramedics, GP’s, first aid staff and Police Scotland working at the event. There were no injuries and no calls for police or further interventions as a result of this isolated incident.
“It seems at face value that this was an isolated momentary incident mainly generated out of impatience to escape the inclement weather.
“We apologise to those affected.”
