WorkSafe: No action on Falls crush

THE organisers of Lorne’s Falls Festival will not be prosecuted over a crowd crush that injured almost 100 people and sparked a class action.

WorkSafe has found there was insufficient evidence to prosecute Ash Sounds Pty Ltd over the stampede that left people with broken bones and nerve damage.

Nineteen people were taken to hospital and 76 people required first aid treatment when they were crushed in a crowd surge at the festival about 10pm last December 30.

“WorkSafe’s investigation revealed that all the conditions imposed by various bodies in relation to the event, such as crowd control, crowd size and positioning and size of exits had been met,” the authority said.

“As a result, WorkSafe found there was insufficient evidence to establish any offence under the 2004 OHS Act and no further action will be taken.”

Thirteen women and six men were rushed to hospital with injuries including “leg, rib, hip and pelvic fractures, possible spinal injuries, head and facial injuries, cuts and abrasions”.

The victims were aged from their late teens to late 20s.

The stampede happened when a swarm of patrons left the DMA’s set in the Grand Theatre to go and see London Grammar.

Melbourne student Rachel Menei said she “thought she was going to die” when she was swallowed up by the crowd and could not escape.

“My feet got pulled and I was right on the ground getting pulled on the rocky surface,” Ms Menei said.

“My boyfriend found me unconscious on the ground and I couldn’t walk for two weeks at all.”

She said she was disappointed in the WorkSafe finding.

A class action, led by Madden Lawyers, was launched against festival organisers earlier this year.

Festival co-producer Jessica Ducrou said this prevented her commenting on WorkSafe’s ruling.

“As the matter is subject to legal proceedings, we are not able to comment further,” Ms Ducrou said. “If we could comment we would.” The crowd crush has not impacted the festival’s popularity, with all tickets to this year’s 25th Falls Festival selling out in record time.