No one will be charged over a New Year’s festival stampede which left 19 people in hospital due to ‘insufficient evidence’.
Maddy, 22, suffered horrific injuries to her eyes after being crushed in the stampede
Festival attendees suffered serious injuries after they were trampled and crushed at the Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria just before 10pm on December 30, 2016.
In a statement, Worksafe Victoria said there was ‘insufficient evidence to prosecute’ the event organiser Ash Sounds Pty Ltd despite the mass injuries.
In addition to those hospitalised 76 required first aid treatment after they were hurt in the crowd surge.
‘Worksafe’s investigation revealed that all the conditions imposed by various bodies in relation to the event, such as crowd control, crowd size, and positioning of exits had been met,’ the statement reads.
‘As a result, Worksafe found there was insufficient evidence to establish any offence under the 2004 OHS Act and no further action will be taken.’
She recalled being dragged across the ground as she gasped for air before people piled on top of her
Dave Le’aupepe of the band Gang of Youths performs at the Falls Festival in Byron Bay
One of those injured in the stampede spoke about her horrific injuries.
The woman, known only as Maddy, 22, recalled being dragged across the ground as she gasped for air before people piled on top of her.
‘I was still moving until it wasn’t possible for me to move myself,’ she told Triple J Hack.
‘I was screaming until I couldn’t anymore because the air was crushed out of my lungs… I couldn’t move any limbs.
‘I just remember going, “this is it, this is death, this is you dying”. And then I blacked out.’
Festival attendees suffered serious injuries after they were trampled and crushed at the Falls Music and Arts Festival in Lorne, Victoria
Ash Sounds Pty Ltd apologised for the stampede soon after it happened
She suffered severe injuries around her eyes, which were filled with blood after the horrific experience.
Ash Sounds Pty Ltd apologised for the stampede soon after it happened.
‘Patron safety is of paramount importance to us and having to address such a serious situation is very distressing for all,’ festival co-producer Jessica Ducrou said.
In a statement, Worksafe Victoria said there was ‘insufficient evidence to prosecute’ the event organiser Ash Sounds Pty Ltd despite the mass injuries