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15 gig-goers in Belfast were rushed to hospital last night (6 February, 2014), suffering the effects of drink and drugs, during a gig by Dutch DJ Hardwell at the Odyssey Arena.
Northern Ireland emergency services declared the incident a 'major incident' at the show, with eye-witnesses reporting that up to 60 people were left requiring treatment from paramedics at the dance event. No one is believed to have been seriously injured, but a police spokesman stated that two people were 'in an unconscious state' at the venue.
"We believe the majority arrived suffering from too much alcohol," Mr McPoland said, suggesting the venue was not to blame for the intoxication, and that dance fans had drunk too much before the show.
"We declared a major incident because of the number of resources we had to deploy to the scene."
Odyssey Arena statesman Adrian Doyle added: "It is our understanding that a number of patrons arriving to attend a concert by Dutch DJ act Hardwell have required medical attention, having already been intoxicated on their arrival at the complex.
"These patrons were not granted entry to the Odyssey Arena, and were treated by the Ambulance Service outside."
A source at the scene told Gigwise that emergency services were called when St John's Ambulance at the Odyssey Arena were overwhelmed by the number of unwell audience members, with more than six ambulances attending the scene.
Another gig goer told of the sheer number of people left sick and unwell at the venue, telling the BBC: "Everywhere you looked, you were guaranteed to see someone who was ill or on their way," he said. "One of the guys in particular I saw was sitting in his own vomit against a wall and struggling to keep his eyes straight."
Other reports state that many young people were also involved in violence at the event, with a number of teenagers reportedly 'jumped' outside the venue.
