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Belfast's Odyssey: 'Disaster zone' outside DJ Hardwell gig Belfast's Odyssey: 'Disaster zone' outside DJ Hardwell gig
(35 minutes later)
More than 100 young people have been treated by paramedics for the effects of alcohol and, in some cases drugs, at a concert in Belfast.More than 100 young people have been treated by paramedics for the effects of alcohol and, in some cases drugs, at a concert in Belfast.
They were attending a DJ Hardwell gig at the Odyssey Arena.They were attending a DJ Hardwell gig at the Odyssey Arena.
A charity worker who helped to treat people at the scene told the BBC it was "like a disaster zone".A charity worker who helped to treat people at the scene told the BBC it was "like a disaster zone".
A total of 108 people, including some very young teenagers needed medical help. Sixty-eight were treated inside the venue and 40 were treated outside. It is understood the police plan to meet Odyssey management as soon as possible to discuss the incident.
Sources said police will also investigate claims that many underage teenagers were able to buy alcohol at bars in the venue, as well as being allowed in while clearly drunk.
'Buckets of vomit''Buckets of vomit'
The investigation is likely to involve checking CCTV footage.
A total of 108 people, including some very young teenagers, needed emergency medical help.
Sixty-eight were treated inside the venue and 40 were treated outside.
Seventeen people were taken to hospital. Three of them have since been discharged and the remaining 14 are in a stable condition.Seventeen people were taken to hospital. Three of them have since been discharged and the remaining 14 are in a stable condition.
Charity worker Joe Hyland, who runs the SOS Bus NI voluntary service, said: "I was dealing with kids with buckets of vomit and they were crying - it was a mess."Charity worker Joe Hyland, who runs the SOS Bus NI voluntary service, said: "I was dealing with kids with buckets of vomit and they were crying - it was a mess."
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service declared the scene outside the concert as a "major incident" on Thursday evening. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) declared the scene outside the concert as a "major incident" on Thursday evening. at about 20:00 GMT on Thursday.
The service said this was due to the number of resources it had to deploy in order to treat the patients. They said this was due to the number of resources it had to deploy in order to treat the patients.
The young people were taken to accident and emergency departments at two hospitals in the city, the Royal Victoria and the Mater. Five ambulances and a number of rapid response NIAS vehicles were called to the venue.
Mr Hyland told BBC Radio Ulster: "It was like a disaster zone, but that was primarily because of one factor - it was a compression. The Ambulance Service treated those who needed help outside the concert, while inside the venue medical assistance was provided by Proparamedic, a private firm hired by the Odyssey.
'Life-threateningly ill''Life-threateningly ill'
The 17 young people who were very ill were treated in accident and emergency departments at two hospitals in the city, the Royal Victoria and the Mater.
Extra staff were called into the hospitals to cope with the situation.
Mr Hyland, chief executive of the SOS Bus NI charity, told BBC Radio Ulster: "It was like a disaster zone, but that was primarily because of one factor - it was a compression.
"There was a period of about 45 minutes where we had something like 19 young people - 14, 15 years old, who were extremely ill."There was a period of about 45 minutes where we had something like 19 young people - 14, 15 years old, who were extremely ill.
"Some of them were very, very ill - life-threateningly ill, where they had over indulged."Some of them were very, very ill - life-threateningly ill, where they had over indulged.
"We recognised an increasing threat to their life. We started to bring in paramedics, the Ambulance Service.""We recognised an increasing threat to their life. We started to bring in paramedics, the Ambulance Service."
Mr Hyland said that when paramedics arrived they "recognised the numbers were too big" and they had to call a major incident.Mr Hyland said that when paramedics arrived they "recognised the numbers were too big" and they had to call a major incident.
"Their resources were limited, they had something like seven ambulances tasked for the evening and when they realised that they were in a danger of not being able to cope they brought in their senior people, who I think made the very best decision," Mr Hyland said."Their resources were limited, they had something like seven ambulances tasked for the evening and when they realised that they were in a danger of not being able to cope they brought in their senior people, who I think made the very best decision," Mr Hyland said.
The charity worker said calling a major incident had allowed paramedics to get the resources they needed "to protect life".The charity worker said calling a major incident had allowed paramedics to get the resources they needed "to protect life".
However, he also said that at the staff at the scene "were really worried, was there perhaps a bad drug out there?" However, he also said that the staff at the scene "were really worried, was there perhaps a bad drug out there?".
'Unconscious state''Unconscious state'
Northern Ireland Ambulance Service spokesman, John McPoland, said many of those treated by paramedics were already intoxicated when they arrived at the venue.Northern Ireland Ambulance Service spokesman, John McPoland, said many of those treated by paramedics were already intoxicated when they arrived at the venue.
He said paramedics treated two people who were "in an unconscious state".He said paramedics treated two people who were "in an unconscious state".
"We believe the majority arrived suffering from too much alcohol," Mr McPoland added."We believe the majority arrived suffering from too much alcohol," Mr McPoland added.
A police spokesman said a number of young people, "believed to be in excess of 20", were treated inside the venue. He said police enquiries were continuing. A police spokesman said a number of young people, "believed to be in excess of 20", were treated inside the venue. He said police inquiries were continuing.
Refused entry
A spokesman for the Odyssey Arena, Adrian Doyle, said: "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.A spokesman for the Odyssey Arena, Adrian Doyle, said: "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.""These patrons were not granted entry to the Odyssey Arena, and were treated by the Ambulance Service outside."
'Fights'
Among those attending the concert was Scott McBride, who said a number of people were being sick as he arrived at the venue.Among those attending the concert was Scott McBride, who said a number of people were being sick as he arrived at the venue.
"Everywhere you looked, you were guaranteed to see someone who was ill," he said."Everywhere you looked, you were guaranteed to see someone who was ill," he said.
"One of the guys I saw was sitting in his own vomit against a wall and struggling to keep his eyes straight.""One of the guys I saw was sitting in his own vomit against a wall and struggling to keep his eyes straight."
Another concert-goer, 16-year-old Rhys Dempster, said: "When I left, there were fights and sirens everywhere, ambulances left, right and centre and police.
"There were people throwing up beside the Odyssey and around the corner, just throwing up everywhere.
"There were a few fights inside as well."
Many parents of the young people who were attending the over-16s concert could not get in touch with their children while the event was taking place.Many parents of the young people who were attending the over-16s concert could not get in touch with their children while the event was taking place.
As the concert was coming to an end at about 23:00 GMT, large numbers of concerned parents arrived at the Odyssey and waited outside.As the concert was coming to an end at about 23:00 GMT, large numbers of concerned parents arrived at the Odyssey and waited outside.
'Shocking''Shocking'
Colin Neill, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster, said anyone responsible for allowing underage drinkers to access alcohol should be prosecuted.Colin Neill, chief executive of Pubs of Ulster, said anyone responsible for allowing underage drinkers to access alcohol should be prosecuted.
"Somewhere in this chain, an adult has been involved. It had to be purchased, it had to be given to these kids and we actually think there has to be an inquiry into this."Somewhere in this chain, an adult has been involved. It had to be purchased, it had to be given to these kids and we actually think there has to be an inquiry into this.
"People should be prosecuted, whether that's a pub, an off-sales, a supermarket or indeed a parent.""People should be prosecuted, whether that's a pub, an off-sales, a supermarket or indeed a parent."
A spokesman for a watchdog set up to investigate complaints about irresponsible alcohol promotions said the events were "shocking".A spokesman for a watchdog set up to investigate complaints about irresponsible alcohol promotions said the events were "shocking".
Duncan McCausland of the Independent Complaints Panel for the Responsible Retailing of Alcohol Code said: "I would call on those selling alcohol to make sure they are not selling it to people who are underage.Duncan McCausland of the Independent Complaints Panel for the Responsible Retailing of Alcohol Code said: "I would call on those selling alcohol to make sure they are not selling it to people who are underage.
"I would also urge parents to exercise parental control and make sure that young people are not drinking excessively at home before going on a night out.""I would also urge parents to exercise parental control and make sure that young people are not drinking excessively at home before going on a night out."