RIOTOUS SCENE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1923, Page 5

RIOTOUS SCENE.

CROWD OUT OF CONTROL. RUSH FOOTBALL GROUND. THE POLICE HELPLESS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received April 29, 5.5 p.m. London, April 28. One of the most sensational scenes in the history of the cup final was witnessed at Wembley. Thousands broke through the gates and jumped the rails, swarming over the pitch until the whole green was covered, and it was impossible to commence the game on time. Mounted police were summoned to the ground to aid the helpless foot police, who were overwhelmed by the huge mobs. At three o’clock forty thousand were unable to gain admiseicn arid thirty thousand broke in without paying. The first indication of trouble was when the turnstiles were closed at two o’clock, and the crowd forced through the main staff entrance. Simultaneous ly those inside leaped the rails and swarmed over the pitch, the ground soon becoming covered by twenty thousand people. The police gallantly endeavored to restore order, and once the situation was so alarming that bolstered revolvers were handed round among the police. The mol\3 rushed pell mell all over the ground, and pandemonium reigned Scores of women and giris fainted. Finally the police were compelled t) give up the unequal struggle, and th? crowd thereupon took charge. The King arrived at three o’clock, and was greeted with a deafening roar. There was an amazing oethurst of patriotism, the crowd of two hundred thousand singing the National Anthem. When largo bodies of mounted men rode on to the ground the crowd was gradually forced off. It is estimated two hundred cases were attended by ambulance men. Many ambulances were, requisitioned to handle the injured, and stretchers were continually being carried off the playing field. At 3.10 p.m the teanw took the field and endeavored to persuade the crowd to withdraw, but not until 3.40 was the ground sufficiently cleared to allow the game to commence. Ten minutes later it had to b" stopped for twelve minutes owing to more rushes of people still breaking in at the gates. An official statement by the controller’s office says the turnstiles were closed after sixty thousand had passed in. although there is standing room for ninety thousand. It is estimated thirty thousand with tickets were unable to enter, and that two hundred thousand were on the ground altogether. The match resulted in Bolton Wanderers beating West Ham United by two goals to nil. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A THOUSAND HURT. SIXTY SENT TO HOSPITAL. CROWD EXCEEDS 200,000.' Received April 29. 11.5 p.m. London. April 29. At Wembley, first aid dealt with 1000 cases, including a number of broken legs and serious eye injuries, and GO were sent to hospital. A number of women were badly crushed against the railings, and one is unlikely to, recover. The explanation of the Stadium authorities is that an inspection was made at 1.30 p.m., when the standing accommodation was found to be nearly full, so orders were given to close ah the gates. Thousands continued to ar rive and mass round the entrance#?, and police reinforcements were summoned. The crowd broke through the harriers at 2 p.m., and from then until th s King’s arrival it is estimated 100,0(19 got through without payment. The total who paid or broke the barriers is estimated to exceed 200.000. Mr.. Wall, secretary of the Football Association, assures the public that the arrange ments were not in their hands and he will not accept responsibility.