'Major Incident' Declared At Belfast's Odyssey Arena As Concert Goers Treated For Alcohol And Drugs
Thursday, 06 February 2014
Written by Jon Stickler
A 'major incident' was declared outside Belfast's Odyssey Arena on Thursday night, where over 60 young people were treated for the effects of alcohol and drugs.
The BBC reports that the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and a doctor responded to the scene, with a number of concert-goers taken to hospital and many more treated outside the venue, where a dance event headlined by Dutch DJ Hardwell had been taking place.
In a statement released by the venue, Adrian Doyle, the arena's general manager, said:
"It is our understanding that a number of patrons arriving at the Odyssey Arena to attend a concert by Dutch DJ act ‘Hardwell’ have required medical attention, having arrived intoxicated at the Odyssey Complex. These patrons were not granted entry to the Odyssey Arena, and were treated by the Ambulance Service outside. Seven patients have now been transferred to hospital by ambulance."
John McParland from the NI Ambulance Service confirmed:
"Just after 8pm we got a call to say a number of young people were suffering from the effects of drink and drugs. More than 60 people were treated at the scene, five were taken to hospital immediately and one more has been hospitalised subsequently. Two of those were presented in an unconscious state. It seems a lot of people turned up for the concert with drink already on board. They were very coy about what they'd taken but that will be determined at the hospital."
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