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Strokes fan: ‘I thought we were going to be trampled to death’
Michael Mansfield, a 44-year-old from Round Rock, got in line outside Auditorium Shores at 6 a.m. Thursday to see one of his favorite band, the Strokes, play a free concert. But after the crowd rushed the stage during the Strokes’ opening number, Mansfield said he feels lucky that he and his daughter weren’t crushed to death in the stampede.
“It was already so packed in there and when the first song started we heard this big noise behind us,” he said. “There was this huge wave of force. Everybody was shoving forward.” Mansfield said he was trying to push back and was yelling for people to move back, but after the barricades were crashed and hundreds of fans rushed the stage it made everyone else surge forward.
“They were pulling people out of the crowd who couldn’t breath,” Mansfield said, adding, “I’m not going back until I’m assured there’s more crowd control.”
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Permalink | Comments (4) | Categories: SXSW 2011
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By Christine Cox
March 19, 2011 4:33 PM | Link to this
That’s absolutely appalling and inexcusable. I don’t go to those concerts at AS b/c there IS no crowd control or crowd limits. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. I discourage my college-aged girls from going, as well.
By colby charles
March 19, 2011 5:29 PM | Link to this
Cry babies should just stay home. It wasn’t that bad. This guy is the reason Austin has ridiculous sound ordinances and huge fences around free shows. I wish Austin was like it used to be back when there weren’t so many whiners living here. with all do respect, I hope you’re not offended.
By willie
March 19, 2011 11:13 PM | Link to this
at least a camera crane did not fall on him
By Real music fan
March 20, 2011 1:41 PM | Link to this
yes please dont come back. life of music shows old man.