Oval fans evacuated after ‘crossbow bolt’ incident

FANS at the Oval cricket ground were evacuated after what was described as a “crossbow bolt” was fired on to the pitch.

Play was abandoned in the County Championship clash between Surrey and Middlesex after the “projectile” was fired into the ground, in Kennington, south London, from outside at around 4.20pm yesterday, according to the competition’s official Twitter feed.

One witness described seeing players and umpires running off the field before fans were told to move inside, and pictures on social media appeared to show armed police on the scene. Another spectator claimed officers told him they believed two arrows were fired into the grounds but police have yet to confirm this.

Scotland Yard said the 1,068 spectators were evacuated, there were no reports of any injuries and officers had an “open mind” about the motive.

Umpire Paul Baldwin was pictured holding the pink-coloured bolt, with red and yellow fletching.

Middlesex County Cricket Club tweeted: “Players have left the field after a crossbow bolt landed on the square.

“Understandably, after the earlier suspension of play, the game at the Oval has been abandoned with the game ending as a draw.”

A Surrey spokesman told the Press Association all fans had to take cover on the concourse.

He said: “We were about to bowl the next ball and the arrow appeared two pitches to the side of the pitch we’re playing on at the moment.

“The umpires took it out of the ground and got the players off as quickly as possible. We’re not sure if it’s deliberate or accidental or whether it’s come from inside or outside the ground.”

David Schofield, from London, said he had been told by three armed officers that it is believed two arrows were fired into the grounds.

He told the Press Association: “They said there were two fired from the north east corner of the OCS stand of which one, they think, hit the roof. They were definite it was from outside the stand.”

He added: “I thought play had been delayed because the light was getting a bit bad or there might have been a sporting declaration by Middlesex – that was not the case.”