Alcohol and camping gear flew through the air, fires were started and fences trampled in scenes of "absolute chaos" as riots broke out at a Gisborne New Year's Eve festival.
Sixty-three people were arrested and 83 injured, with seven needing hospital attention at the BW Summer Festival, a campground-come-music festival at the beachside in Gisborne.
Tairawhiti Area Commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said the riot broke out in two of the festival campgrounds around 5.30pm and the disorder lasted about three hours.
As well as the injuries to festival-goers, police were pelted with cans and other objects, vehicles were overturned and several fires were lit.
Mikayla Stuart was working at a food outlet in the campground.
"First sign of trouble I noticed was cheering and everyone running to one area inside the main camp and then it slowly but surely escalated from there," she said.
"I'm not too sure whether it was pre-planned or not but a lot of campers got on board with it very quickly"
Crowds of people charged at fences and knocked them down, started fires and threw alcohol, mattresses and tents on top of them.
"There were cans of alcohol flying through the air as well as chairs tent poles hitting heaps of people ... Another worker and I were curious and went to have a closer look and it turned into absolute chaos."
Everyone in the area was in danger, she said.
"People were getting violent and stupid. There were a couple of boys jumping over the fires with the crowd, of course, cheering them on."
Police and security staff were abused and had things thrown at them but slowly managed to get some kind of control.
"I heard they arrested quite a few people so I think that's why everyone slowly left to the buses."
BW Festival organisers posted a photo of cells police dubbed "The Oven" on their Facebook page, a warning that went unheeded.
The riot was well-planned and co-ordinated by a core group of festival-goers who were intent on causing trouble, Aberahama said.
Levels of intoxication were "extremely high".
Around 7000 young people attended the festival, where campers could bring unlimited amounts of alcohol into the campsites. Police had opposed the festival's BYO licence, but it was granted to festival organisers.
There had been trouble at previous festivals, but tonight's riot had been the worst, Aberahama said.
"This was an intentional riot that was fuelled by alcohol. It was obvious a plan had been put in place by the main agitators, which quickly spread through the campgrounds. We used every available police resource to try to keep control of the crowds," he said.
The riot began when groups from two neighbouring campgrounds confronted each other at a dividing fence. That fence was quickly pushed over and both groups began fighting. The disorder then spread throughout the rest of the site.
Police and security staff tried to stop the fighting while also dealing with crowd surges towards a bus loading area where people could be bussed out to the Rhythm and Vines Festival.
Aberahama said police resources and festival security staff were stretched to the limit and extra staff had to be called in from the Rhythm and Vines festival, that was running simultaneously with the BW Festival.
The riot also put pressure on St John Ambulance staff, who treated 83 people for various injuries. Seven were taken to Gisborne Hospital with more serious injuries.
St John Regional Manager Stephen Smith said most of the injuries were from projectiles being thrown.
People were also injured during crowd surges, he said.
Aberahama said police were extremely concerned about the level of disorder.
"A definite mob mentality quickly developed amongst the crowd. It was dangerous for everyone – festival-goers, police, ambulance staff and security staff. It was pure luck that someone didn't lose their life."
The riot had spoiled the night for a large number of festival-goers who did not take part in the disorder.
"There were a number of people who weren't interested in causing trouble and just wanted to have a good time without incident. It's a shame they had their night ruined."
Those arrested will be facing various charges ranging from disorderly behaviour to assault.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
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