A private security guard is in 'extremely critical' condition after she was trampled by dozens of revelers who stormed the fences around downtown Miami's Ultra Music Festival late Friday, police said.
The 28-year-old Contemporary Services Corporation guard is hospitalized at Jackson Memorial Hospital with severe brain hemorrhaging.
The incident is bound to raise renewed concerns about the immensely popular three-day electronic music festival at Miami's Bayfront Park. Organizers are expecting more than 165,000 people.
The tragic episode has already drawn swift condemnation from city leaders, including Miami Mayor Tomás Regalado, who said promoters 'acted irresponsibly' by failing to properly secure the perimeter of the fence around the huge event.
'I think we should not have Ultra next year here,' Regalado told the Miami Herald on Saturday. 'This incident should never have happened.'
The people storming the fence did not have tickets and were trying to crash the event.
The security guard also suffered a broken leg and was seen with blood coming out of her ears as paramedics treated her at the scene.
Security along the perimeter has been a perennial concern at the event, which opened its gates to the public about 4 p.m. on Friday. According to law enforcement sources, two hours before the gates opened, police broadcast on the radio that additional fencing was needed at the same spot where the guard was ultimately trampled.
None was put up.
The breach happened at a spot of chain-link fences at Southeast First Street and Biscayne Boulevard. At the time, the zone did not feature sturdier, unclimbable portable fencing in use in other areas around the festival.
Miami's homicide unit, which investigates all non-fatal attacks and deaths, is now looking for witnesses to the episode, said Miami police spokesman Delrish Moss.
On the first night, police arrested 22 people. Of those, 15 people were arrested on felony charges Friday, according to a Miami Police press release. Six more were arrested on misdemeanor charges, while one more was arrested for a traffic violation.
The police department did not detail the exact charges for those people arrested.
Last year, Miami police arrested 167 people during the festival, mostly for drugs and trying to enter the event without paying.
Ultra Music Festival
A private security guard is in 'extremely critical' condition after she was trampled by dozens of revelers who stormed the fences around downtown Miami's Ultra Music Festival late Friday, police said.
American Social, the gastro pub that originated on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, said it is opening an additional site in the Brickell area.
Design District
Christy Gast's work is on display at a gallery in Miami's Design District.
Posted by Unknown on Saturday, March 29, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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