UCLA students describe ‘terrifying’ scene amid crush of bodies outside Pauley Pavilion
Ben Bolch LA Times 11-13-21
UCLA students who waited hours to attend the basketball team’s thrilling overtime victory over Villanova on Friday at Pauley Pavilion described a chaotic scene as tipoff neared when a crush of fans outside the arena created a dangerous situation similar to the recent deadly surge at the Astroworld Festival in Houston. Senior political science and history major Tobias Sunshine said he and his girlfriend were forced into an enormous crowd that overran Bruinwalk on campus, with lines of fans converging into one mob. “It turned into mayhem,” Sunshine told The Times. “As soon as people started to move, the whole crowd would move in waves. ... People were getting pushed and crushed, yelling out, ‘Stop moving!’ ”
...UCLA athletic department spokesman Scott Markley acknowledged issues outside the arena before the second-ranked Bruins rallied for an 86-77 overtime victory over fourth-ranked Villanova in front of a sellout crowd of 13,659. “With a sold-out game and enormous student and fan interest, we’re aware of challenges with the line and were not adequately staffed,” Markley said. “We apologize and will correct it going forward.” Markley said there were no known or reported injuries. UCLA Health media relations also confirmed there were no patients at Ronald Reagan Medical Center with injuries stemming from the basketball crowd control issues. UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond issued an apology to Markley’s on Twitter. Jarmond announced Saturday several changes to enhance safety, including more staff to assist and manage the line, additional structures for a better controlled line, and an examination of student ticket distribution practices in conjunction with the Den student group and student affairs...
Even some of those who were able to make it inside Pauley Pavilion expressed irritation. “While I did get in and enjoyed the game, I feel absolutely horrified and extremely exhausted and anxious about the situation,” Sunshine said. “There is definitely the possibility that someone could have been seriously injured or dead. My girlfriend said it was one of the worst experiences of her life. I am very ashamed of the athletics administration, and I know that many other students are very alienated now and do not want to attend any more games.”
Full story at https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2021-11-13/ucla-students-describe-terrifying-scene-amid-crush-of-bodies-outside-pauley-pavilion.
Video of crowd below:
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