2009 Birmingham Millennium Point stampede: Difference between revisions
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#REDIRECT [[2009 Millennium Point stampede]] |
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{{notability|1=Events|date=June 2010}} |
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{{TOCright}} |
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[[File:Millennium Point -front -Birmingham -UK.JPG|thumb|right|The front of Millennium Point.]] |
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The '''2009 Birmingham Millennium Point stampede''' occurred on 14 November 2009 when hundreds of people broke through a temporary metal barrier causing various injuries to fans during the Birmingham Christmas Lights Switch-On held outside [[Millennium Point (Birmingham)|Millennium Point]] in [[Birmingham]], [[England]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8360560.stm|title=Dozens hurt in lights switch-on|publisher=BBC News | date=2009-11-14 | accessdate=2010-04-23}}</ref> while [[JLS]] were performing. |
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==Council preparation== |
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Because a free [[pop music]] concert and [[fireworks]] show was planned, sections of [[Millennium Point (Birmingham)|Millennium Point]] were fenced off and either marshals and/or police stationed at a few points so as to prevent any minor crimes, like [[pickpocketing]]. Trouble breaking out may have been contributed by party goers becoming over excited, plus the unofficial presence of [[alcohol]].<ref name="mercury-hillsborough">{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2009/11/15/birmingham-christmas-lights-disaster-mp-feared-another-hillsborough-tragedy-66331-25169571/|title=Birmingham Christmas lights disaster: MP feared another Hillsborough tragedy|last=Aspinall|first=Adam|date=2009-11-15|publisher=Sunday Mercury|accessdate=2009-11-15}}</ref><ref name="bbc-condemn">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8361023.stm|title=Concert-goers condemn crush chaos |date=2009-11-15|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-11-15}}</ref> |
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<ref name="bbc-hurt">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/8360560.stm|title=Dozens hurt in lights switch-on|date=2009-11-14|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-11-15}}</ref><ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6574452/JLS-Christmas-lights-injuries-Council-defends-organisation.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=JLS Christmas lights injuries: Council defends organisation | date=2009-11-15 | accessdate=2010-04-23}}</ref> |
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<ref name="uk.news.launch.yahoo.com">[http://uk.news.launch.yahoo.com/dyna/article.html?a=/091117/340/itkp4.html&e=l_news_dm]</ref> Councilor [[Steve Hollingworth]] from [[Birmingham City Council]] said the event had been properly organised and prepared.<ref name="paltelegraph.com">[http://www.paltelegraph.com/world/uk-news/2841-uk-60-injured-in-christmas-lights-ceremony]</ref> |
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[[Birmingham]] City Councillor [[Martin Mullaney]] later stated it was a failure of the fencing at Millennium Point which was the main problem, since the wind broke the solid-[[steel]] fencing down during the night and it was then replaced, with the [[Hessian (fence)|hessian fencing]] used on building sites and extra security personnel.<ref name="mercury-hillsborough"/><ref name="bbc-condemn"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hurt"/> |
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<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/><ref name="uk.news.launch.yahoo.com"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hys">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/8360891.stm|title='Something bad was going to happen'|work=Have Your Say|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-11-15 | date=2009-11-15}}</ref> |
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<ref name="localgov.co.uk">[http://www.localgov.co.uk/index.cfm?method=news.detail&id=83878]</ref> |
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==Line up== |
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Fifteen bands and soloists were scheduled to play at the event and included- [[Mini Viva]], [[Girls Can't Catch]], [[Calvin Harris]], [[Taio Cruz]], the [[Noisettes]], [[Little Boots]], [[Pixie Lott]], [[Chipmunk (rapper)|Chipmunk]], [[Eoghan Quigg]], [[Natalie Imbruglia]], [[Tinchy Stryder]], [[JLS]], the [[Sugababes]], the [[Saturdays]], and [[Alexandra Burke]]. |
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<ref name="bbc-condemn"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hurt"/> |
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<ref name="paltelegraph.com"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hys"/> |
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<ref name="islandacts">{{cite web|url=http://www.isleofman.com/news/article.aspx?article=22027&area=2|title=Island acts in the news|date=2009-11-15|publisher=isleofman.com|accessdate=2009-11-15}}</ref><ref name="ukpa-scores">{{cite news|url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5h5QLoUu1_XXUpxKKYnY4YVUSUQ-w|title=Scores hurt at JLS lights switch-on|date=2009-11-15|agency=Press Association|publisher=Google|accessdate=2009-11-15}}</ref><ref name="bmail-switchon">{{cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2009/11/09/the-saturdays-natalie-imbruglia-and-tinchy-stryder-join-line-up-for-birmingham-christmas-lights-switch-on-97319-25123473/|title=The Saturdays, Natalie Imbruglia and Tinchy Stryder join line-up for Birmingham Christmas lights switch-on|last=Coleman|first=Andrew|date=2009-11-09|publisher=Birmingham Mail|accessdate=2009-11-15}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7772341.stm | work=BBC News | title=Fans hurt at X Factor group's gig | date=2008-12-09 | accessdate=2010-04-23}}</ref> |
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<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/8360891.stm | work=BBC News | title=Something bad was going to happen | date=2009-11-15 | accessdate=2010-04-23}}</ref> |
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==Attendance== |
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According to reports, about 20,000 to 21,000 (officially) or 27,000 people (police estimates) turned up for the show at Millennium Point, which every one had been expecting to attract just 5,000 fans.<ref name="bbc-condemn"/><ref name="bbc-hurt"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hys"/> |
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<ref name="ukpa-scores"/> |
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<ref name="bmail-switchon"/> |
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<ref name="telegraph-sixty">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/6570224/Sixty-people-hurt-in-crush-to-see-JLS-at-Christmas-lights-event-in-Birmingham.html|title=Sixty people hurt in crush to see JLS at Christmas lights event in Birmingham|last=Johnston|first=Ian|date=2009-11-14|publisher=The Telegraph|accessdate=2009-11-15 | location=London}}</ref><ref name="bbc-xfactor">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7772341.stm|title=Fans hurt at X Factor group's gig |date=2008-12-09|publisher=BBC News|accessdate=2009-11-16}}</ref><ref name="sundaymercury.net">[http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2009/11/15/birmingham-christmas-lights-disaster-mp-feared-another-hillsborough-tragedy-66331-25169571/]</ref><ref name="thesun.co.uk">[http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2730682/64-hurt-in-JLS-crowd-crush.html]</ref>, not the 15,000 and 20,000 [[Birmingham City Council]] had expected to turn up. The [[venue]] had a capacity of 5,000 people and it was reconised that things would be a [[over crouding|bit of a squeaze]] in the [[park]]<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227846/Concert-stampede-new-Hillsborough-scores-injured-Birmingham.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227846/Concert-stampede-new-Hillsborough-scores-injured-Birmingham.html]</ref>. |
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===The 'JLS effect'=== |
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In December 2008 during a concert in [[Croydon]], about 2,000 fans turned up; not the planned 1,500. Five people were slightly injured at the event and 30 people were briefly detained for medical checks relating to the crushing that had taken place earlier. A teenage girl had an [[asthma attack]] followed by a [[panic attack]] and mild [[Myocardial infarction|heart tremor]] in the wake of it, and a man was taken back to his home in West Wickham Street after choking on a drink during the concert. The [[teenager]] told the [[Croydon Guardian]] she was helped from the crowd after suffering both an asthma and panic attack due to the [[chaotic]] situation. The woman had been queuing since 1:00 pm and had noted that when the school kids turned up it became really busy and then the kids started pushing their way in, squashing those at the front of the queues. She also recalled that a [[pregnant]] woman was in the crowd and neither of them could move or get out. The [[Metropolitan Police]] said about 2 dozen officers were called to the bash at [[Fairfield Halls]], [[Croydon]], at 4:00 pm (GMT) after being alerted to a crushing incident at a local free music event and that the 15 marshals had lost control of the situation.<ref name="mercury-hillsborough"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/><ref name="bbc-xfactor"/><ref name="sundaymercury.net"/><ref name="thesun.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="thisislondon.co.uk">[http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23598908-tv-bosses-accused-as-girls-rush-to-see-jls.do]</ref> |
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<ref name="thisislondon.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="mirror.co.uk">[http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2008/12/09/x-factor-stampede-for-jls-injures-30-fans-at-concert-115875-20957395/]</ref> |
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<ref name="mirror.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="mirror.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="croydonguardian.co.uk">{{cite news| url=http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/3959960.X_Factor_fans_hurt_in_JLS_ticket_stampede/ }}</ref><ref name="croydonguardian.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="entertainment.stv.tv"/> |
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A similar event, in [[Kingston upon Hull|Hull]], shortly afterwards attracted 3,000 people, but no one was hurt that time. A fairly popular gig in [[Manchester]] had also passed over peacefully. About 6,000 people attended the recent JLS appearance in Manchester‘s, [[Trafford Centre]], but authorities had planned for considerably more.<ref name="paltelegraph.com"/><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="thesun.co.uk"/><ref>[http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iXpbycp0uLoAWCLiJu4jNlevIDQQ]</ref> |
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==The event== |
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The free event, organised by [[96.4FM BRMB]] and [[Birmingham City Council]], was to start at 2pm, followed by the Christmas lights switch-on at 7.30pm and finishing with a fireworks display.<ref name="bbc-condemn"/><ref name="bbc-hurt"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hys"/> |
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<ref name="localgov.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="ukpa-scores"/><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="telegraph-sixty"/><ref name="bbc-xfactor"/> |
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<ref name="sundaymercury.net"/> |
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<ref name="thesun.co.uk"/><ref name="entertainment.stv.tv">[http://entertainment.stv.tv/showbiz/61284-jls-cause-stampede/]</ref> |
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Crowds began to swell at about 1:30 pm in [[Jennens Lane]] as a crowd of about 20,000 to 21,000 began to push at the fencing. At the end of the JLS performance, an additional approximately 7,000 largely ticketless fans tried <ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227846/Concert-stampede-new-Hillsborough-scores-injured-Birmingham.html]</ref> to force themselves into the venue before the [[Sugababes]] could start their act, and the police were overwhelmed.<ref name="bbc-condemn"/><ref name="bbc-hurt"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hys"/> |
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<ref name="localgov.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="ukpa-scores"/><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="telegraph-sixty"/><ref name="bbc-xfactor"/> |
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<ref name="sundaymercury.net"/> |
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<ref name="thesun.co.uk"/> |
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Some of the fans apparently became angry with the way the concert was being marshalled and began to throw umbrellas, drink bottles and cans at the police and marshalls.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/><ref name="entertainment.stv.tv"/>. Several children were taken to safety by fans, marshals and emergency staff alike, once the crush began <ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227846/Concert-stampede-new-Hillsborough-scores-injured-Birmingham.html]</ref>. |
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The rest of the concert and lights switch-on were immediately cancelled as paramedics set up a special triage area to treat the injured. Birmingham City Council stated: "due to safety concerns an emergency meeting was held and a joint decision was made between Birmingham City Council, BRMB, Millennium Point and the Emergency Services to cancel the event following JLS’s fantastic performance."<ref name="bbc-condemn"/><ref name="bbc-hurt"/> |
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<ref name="bbc-hys"/> |
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<ref name="localgov.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="ukpa-scores"/><ref name="news.bbc.co.uk"/> |
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<ref name="telegraph-sixty"/><ref name="bbc-xfactor"/> |
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<ref name="sundaymercury.net"/> |
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<ref name="thesun.co.uk"/> |
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==Casualties== |
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Some 64 concert-goers were injured: four critically, two of whom had major crush injures. Two persons were crushed under a metal barrier as it collapsed in the stampede and another two were knocked to the ground by the initial surge according to [[West Midlands Police]]. [[West Midlands Ambulance Service]] confirmed there had been no fatalities at the crush. [[West Midlands Ambulance Service]] the 4 most seriosly injured victims suffered from serious [[crush injuries]] to either their [[pelvis]], [[shoulder]]s, [[back]] and [[leg]]s and or, [[broken bone|broken]] [[ankle]]s and or a [[fractured bone|fractured]] wrists<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227846/Concert-stampede-new-Hillsborough-scores-injured-Birmingham.html]</ref>. Pop star [[Calvin Harris]] had expressed his concerns over the lack of provision for the growing crowds.<ref name="bbc-condemn"/><ref name="telegraph-sixty"/> |
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==The aftermath== |
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The Government's [[Culture Minister]] and the city council's [[Cabinet Member for Leisure, Sport & Culture]], [[Councillor Martin Mullaney]] blamed the near tragedy on bad weather and a failure of the fencing for the incident, but local MP for [[Perry Barr]], [[Khalid Mahmood]] blamed the city council's lack of preparations prior to the event. A government enquiry has been launched in to what had happened at the event.<ref>[http://www.mns.co.uk/01219831.html]</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/6574452/JLS-Christmas-lights-injuries-Council-defends-organisation.html[] }}</ref> Councilor Steve Hollingworth from Birmingham City Council said the event had been properly organised and prepared.<ref name="paltelegraph.com"/>. Khalid Mahmood MP said the council should have made access to the event by ticket holders only and that ticket less fans should not have been [[shoe horne]]d in to any spare spaces at the last moment<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227846/Concert-stampede-new-Hillsborough-scores-injured-Birmingham.html]</ref>. He was also concerned that it may have ended up like the [[1989]] Hillsborough football stadium disaster, in which both 96 Liverpool United fans and 2 marshals were crushed to death in a mass [[stampede]] <ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1227846/Concert-stampede-new-Hillsborough-scores-injured-Birmingham.html]</ref>. |
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All parties agreed that the late surge of fans from outside of the main event was poorly handled and that the council could have erected big plasma [[television|TV]] screens outside the event for those unable to get in.<ref name="bbc-condemn"/><ref name="telegraph-sixty"/> |
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An official, independent report by a [[Health and Safety consultant]], placed the final blame on Birmingham City Council's choice of fencing. The usual solid fencing used was deemed to be unsafe in the high winds, so was replaced by see-through [[fence|fencing]] that same morning. Despite this, the report concluded that pre-planning for the event was "satisfactory". It was believed that members of the public could see spaces in the crows appearing through the see-through fence and decided to climb over, resulting in the fence collapsing, causing the subsequent surge and injuries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2010/07/08/christmas-lights-fiasco-blamed-on-see-through-fence-97319-26807949/2/|title=Christmas lights fiasco blamed on see-through fence|publisher=Birmingham Mail}}</ref> |
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==Reported alcohol and possible drug usage== |
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Whilst [[alcohol]] was consumed by some fans, there was ''no'' credible proof that any were dangerously intoxicated. Reports of [[MDMA]](ecstasy) abuse were also dismissed at the time by both police and medics. |
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==Related incidents== |
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It was a forewarning of the similar, but more lethal, event that happened at the [[Love Parade]] concert in [[Duisburg]] in North Rhine-Westphalia on July 25, 2010, in which 21 died and 340 were injured.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10753448</ref><ref>http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/24/love-parade-festival-tunnel-stampede</ref><ref>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/26/world/europe/26germany.html?src=mv</ref> |
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==See also== |
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* [[Hillsborough Disaster]] |
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* [[Herd instinct]] |
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* [[Mass hysteria]] |
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* [[Youth Culture]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:2009 Birmingham Millennium Point Stampede}} |
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[[Category:Human stampedes in the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:2009 in England]] |
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[[Category:History of Birmingham, West Midlands]] |
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Latest revision as of 15:28, 5 March 2019
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