FOOTBALL MATCH SENSATION.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17750, 30 April 1923, Page 11

FOOTBALL MATCH SENSATION.

EXCITING SCENES AT WEMBLEY PARK. (BT CABLE—PEE 33 ASSOCIATION —COPXKtQHT.) (austbalian and n.z. cable association.) (Received April. 29th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 28. One of the most sensational scenes in the history, of the Cup final was witnessed at Wembley Park. Thousands broke through the gates, and jumped the rails, swarming over the pitch until the. whole green was covered, making it impossible to commence the game on time. Mounted police ■ were .summoned to the ground to aid the helpless foot police, who were overwhelmed by huge mobs. ■ At three o'clock 40,000 persons were unable to gain admission, and 30,000 broke in without paying. The first indication of trouble was when the turnstiles were closed at two o'clock. The crowd forced a way through the main staff entrance. Simultaneously those inside leaped the rails and swarmed over the pitch. The ground was soon covered by 20,000 people. The police gallantly endeavoured to restore order. Once the situation was so alarming that holstered revolvers' were handed round to the police. The mobs rushed pell-mell all over the ground, and pandemonium reigned. Scores of women and girls fainted. Fin-' ally the police were compelled to give up thb unequal struggle. The crowd thereupon took charge. The, King arrived at three oclocji, and was greeted with a deafening roar and an amazing outburst of patriotism, the crowd of 2C0,000 singing the National Anthem. When large bodies of mounted men rode on to the ground, the crowd was gradually forced oif. It is estimated that 200 cases were attended by the ambulance men. Ambulances were requisitioned to handle the injured, and sufferers on stretchers were continually being carried off the playing field. At 3.10 p.m. the teams took tfte field, and endeavoured to persuade the crowd to withdraw, but not until 3.40. p.m. was the ground sufficiently cleared to allow the game to commence. Ten minutes later it had to be stopped for twelve minutes, owing to more rushes, people still breaking in at the gs*3s. An official statement by th e controller's office says the turnstiles were closed after .60,000 persons had passed, although there is standing room for 90,000. It is estimated that 30,Uaj with tickets were unable to enter, and that 200.000 persons were on the ground altogether. The first aid staff dealt with 1000 cases, including a number of broken legs and serious eye injuries. Sixty

cases were sent to hospital. A number of women were badly crushed against the railings and one is unlikely to recover. The Stadium authorities' explanation is that an inspection wae made at 1.80 p.m., when the standing accommodation was found to be nearly full, bo orders were given to close all the .gated.Thousands continued to . arrive and mass round th» entrances. Police reinforcements were summoned. The crowd broke through ■ the barriers at 2.15 p.m., and thence until the King's arrival it is estimated that 100,000 persons got through without payment. The total who paid or broke the Ibarriers is estimated to exceed 200,000. Mr Wall, secretary of the Football Association, .assures the public that the arrangements were not in their hands and he will not accept responsibility for what occurred.