A HUGE RIOT.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1923, Page 1

A HUGE RIOT.

AT SOCCER CUR FINAL. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAULK ASSOCIATION. LONDON’, April 28. One of the most sensational scenes in the history ol the cup final was witnessed at Wembley. One thousand people broke through the gates and jumped the rails, swarming over the I itch, until the whole green was covered. li v.as impossible to commence the game on time. .Mounted police were summoned In the ground to aid the helpless loot police, who were overwhelmed by huge mobs. At 3 o'clock ■III.1(1)1) wore unable to gain admission. Tinny thousand | eople broke in without pining, 'i he lir-M indication of trouble was when the "turnstiles closed at 2 o'clock. The crowd forced through the main stall entrance. Simultaneously, those inside leaped the railways, and swarmed over the pitch. The ground was soon covered by 20.000 people. The police gallantly endeavoured to restore order. Ome the situation was so alarming that bolstered revolvers .wore handed round to the police. The mobs rushed pell mel) all over the ground.

l’a-mlcjnonium reigned. Scores of women and girls fainted. Finally the police were compelled to give up the unequal struggle. The crowd thereupon took charge. The King arrived at 3 o'clock. Tic was greeted with a deafening roar. It was an amazing outburst of patriotism. the crowd of 200,000 singing the National Anthem.

When large bodies of mounted men rode on to the ground, the crowd was gradually forced off.

It is estimated that 200 cases were attended by ambulance men. Many ambulances were requisitioned to handle the injured. Stretchers were continually being carried off the field. At 3.10 p.m., the teams took the field. They endeavoured to persuade the crowd to withdraw. Xot until 3.10 was the ground sufficiently cleared to allow tlie game to commence. len minutes later it had to be stopped for 12 minutes, owing to more rushes. I 'eople were still breaking in at the gates. An official statement by the Controllers' Office says the turnstiles were closed after 00.000 passed, although there is standing room for 00.000. It is estimated that 30.000 people with tickets were unable to enter, and that 200,000 were on tlie ground altogether. Tim result of the game was a win lot Bolton Wanderers over AA esthnm United by 2 goals to nil. FURTHER PARTICULARS. (Received this day at S a.m.) I.OXI)OX, April 29. First aid dealt with 1000 causes, a number of broken legs and serious e,\c injuries. Sixty were sent to the hospital. A number of women were badly crushed against the railings, and one is unlikely to recover. Ibo stadium authorities explanation is that an inspection was made at 1.3'!, when the standing aeeonnnodalion was lottnd nearly full, so orders were given to eloM.. all the gates. Thousands continued to arrive and mass round the entrances. Police -reinforcements wore summoned, but the crowd broke through tlie barriers at 2. Id, and thence until the King’s arrival it is estimated one hundred thousand got, through without payment. The total who paid »u* broke the barriers is estimated to exceed 200,1)00. I.OXDOX, April 29 Wall ('Sec-rel ary of the Football Assaeiatioii) assured the public that the arrangements were not in their hands and lie will not accept responsibility.