CELTIC FANS CRUSH TERROR
Panic as supporters trapped between wall and turnstiles at Parkhead
CELTIC fans from Ireland are believed to have been among those caught up in a crush at yesterday’s Old Firm derby.
Thousands of supporters were trapped between a wall and turnstiles at Celtic Park in Glasgow.
One fan said: “We couldn’t move. Children were crying and parents were panicking.”
FURIOUS fans caught in the Celtic park crush last night demanded an inquiry to ensure it never happens again.
Thousands of Hoops supporters were trapped between a wall and the turnstiles as they made their way to the Old Firm game at Parkhead.
Some told how terrified children were crying as fans were squashed together outside the North Stand.
Panicking supporters scaled the wall to escape into the neighbouring graveyard and several people were injured, with at least one taken to hospital.
Aidan Kerr, 23, said: “There was a crush. People said a gate had been closed at one stage and it is thought that caused a bottleneck.
“This wasn’t a small incident. There were thousands of us.
“We couldn’t move. We were pressed up against each other. Children were crying and parents were panicking.
“People were climbing walls. Others had kids on their shoulders.”
Police insisted everything had been brought under control and that “lessons will be learned”.
But fans called for CCTV footage to be released to shed light on the incident which happened at 11.50am.
Aidan added: “It was dangerous and I would be keen for the police or Celtic to release some CCTV to see how it was managed because there was no police in the area where it happened.
“It was bad. Bodies were pressed against each other.
TRAMPLED
“The singing and pre-match excitement turned to panic, especially fearing for the children.
“There were several thousand people involved in this crush.
“The worst case scenario was that a child could have been trampled on as the crowd grew.
“Why were they not able to manage something that should have been safe and straightforward?”
Celtsarehere.com reported: “This quite simply cannot happen again. There were people in the crowd genuinely worried for their safety.
“With Celtic hosting so many big games, it’s unfathomable how security and the club can get something so wrong in what should have been a pleasant and very easy way to enter the ground.”
Celtic Collectables wrote on Twitter: “Crush at North Stand today was horrendous. Kids crying and adults panicking thinking a serious incident was going to happen.”
James Greenan posted: “The way police handled the situation was embarrassing.”
Chief Supt Brian Mcinulty said the incident had been dealt with well.
He added: “Five people were treated by first aiders when fans were attempting to get into the stadium in the lead up to kick-off at Janefield Street.
“Four people were treated at the scene and then went into the ground and the other was taken to hospital after a fall from the wall bordering Janefield Street.
“Officers and stewards reacted quickly upon realising there was an issue and put in place measures to relieve the congestion. This included putting in place cordons to prevent further entry at Janefield Street and opening up London Road to allow fans to access the stadium from the south.
“We will review today’s incident and work with Celtic to ensure any learning is quickly put in place.”
Celtic FC said: “We are aware of the issues caused by congestion prior to kick-off. We are pleased that stewards and police were able to assist quickly and we thank our supporters for their patience shown while the matter was being dealt with.
“We will work closely with police to investigate and review this matter. The safety of our supporters will always be our priority.”
There were several thousand people involved in the crush
aidan kerr GLASGOW
yesterday